Kural #117
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Tamil text
கெடுவாக வையாது உலகம்
நடுவாக நன்றிக்கண் தங்கியான் தாழ்வு
Keṭuvāka vaiyātu ulakam
Naṭuvāka naṉṟikkaṇ taṅkiyāṉ tāḻvu
English translation
The world will not consider it a disgrace if one suffers loss while holding firmly to impartiality and virtue.
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Explanation
If you lose wealth or position while maintaining fairness, society will not look down on you. In fact, such "loss" through righteousness brings honor. The world respects integrity more than mere success.
விளக்கம்
நடுவுநிலைமையுடன் அறம் காப்பவன் தாழ்ந்தாலும் உலகம் அவனை இகழாது. நடுவுநிலைமை அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம். நேர்மை தவறாததால் வரும் இழப்பு புகழே தரும். இதுவே குறளின் நீதி.
Word meanings
- கெடுவாகkeṭuvākaas ruin/disgrace
- வையாதுvaiyātuwill not consider
- உலகம்ulakamthe world
- நடுவாகnaṭuvākawith impartiality
- நன்றிக்கண்naṉṟikkaṇin virtue
- தங்கியான்taṅkiyāṉone who remained firm
- தாழ்வுtāḻvudecline/loss
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a merchant named Arun. He was known for his fair dealings. One year, a devastating flood swept through the valley, ruining crops and homes. Arun had a storehouse full of grain, desperately needed by the villagers. A greedy official, seeing an opportunity, demanded Arun sell the grain only to him at a low price. He threatened to seize Arun's property if he refused. Arun, though facing ruin, decided to sell the grain to everyone at a fair price, ensuring all had food. He knew he would lose much of his wealth. The official, enraged, carried out his threat. Arun lost his storehouse, his wealth, everything. Yet, when he walked through the village, he was not met with scorn. Instead, villagers offered him shelter, food, and help. They saw his integrity, his fairness, and they honored him more than they ever had before.