Kural #113
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Tamil text
நன்றே தரினும் நடுவிகந்தாம் ஆக்கத்தை
அன்றே யொழிய விடல்
Naṉṟē tariṉum naṭuvikantām ākkatttai
Aṉṟē yoḻiya viṭal
English translation
Even if it brings great benefit, abandon immediately any gain that departs from fairness.
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Explanation
This kural teaches that no profit is worth abandoning principles of justice. If wealth or success comes through unfair means, it should be rejected that very day (அன்றே). Short-term gain through injustice leads to long-term loss.
விளக்கம்
நடுவுநிலைமை தவறி நன்மை வந்தாலும் அதை அன்றே விட்டுவிடணும். நியாயமில்லா லாபம் பின்னாளில் துன்பம் தரும். அறவழியில் செல்வதே சிறந்தது.
Word meanings
- நன்றேnaṉṟēgood indeed
- தரினும்tariṉumeven if it gives
- நடுவுnaṭuvuimpartiality/justice
- இகந்தாம்ikantāmthat has departed from
- ஆக்கத்தைākkattaithe gain/wealth
- அன்றேaṉṟēthat very day
- ஒழியoḻiyato abandon
- விடல்viṭallet go
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a merchant named Arun. He was known for his shrewd dealings. One year, a devastating flood ruined the harvest, leaving the villagers desperate. Arun saw an opportunity. He bought the remaining grain at a pittance, hoarding it in his large granary. When the villagers came, begging for food, Arun offered to sell it back at ten times the price. Some, driven by hunger, agreed, sacrificing their meager possessions. Others, however, refused, choosing to share what little they had. Word of Arun's actions reached the wise old sage, sitting on the village square. He summoned Arun and, without a word, showed him a vast pile of glittering coins. "This is your profit, Arun," he said. Then, he pointed to the empty faces of the villagers, now even poorer than before. Arun looked at the coins, then at the villagers. He understood. The coins seemed to weigh heavy in his hand.