Kural #119
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Tamil text
சொற்கோட்டம் இல்லது செப்பம்
ஒருதலையா உட்கோட்டம் இன்மை பெறின்
Coṟkōṭṭam illatu ceppam
Orutalaiyā uṭkōṭṭam iṉmai peṟiṉ
English translation
True impartiality means speaking without bias, and this is possible only when the mind within is free from crookedness.
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Explanation
External fair speech (சொற்கோட்டம் இல்லது) must match internal fair thinking (உட்கோட்டம் இன்மை). True impartiality is not just in words but in the heart. One cannot speak justly while thinking unjustly.
விளக்கம்
நடுவுநிலைமை அதிகாரத்தில், இந்த குறள் உண்மையான நீதியை விளக்குகிறது. ஒருவர் பேசும் சொற்கள் நேர்மையாக இருக்க வேண்டும்; அது உள்ளத்தில் எந்தவிதமான தவறான எண்ணமும் இல்லாமல் இருந்தால் மட்டுமே சாத்தியம். உள்ளும் புறமும் சுத்தமாக இருந்தாலே நியாயம் நிலைக்கும்.
Word meanings
- சொல்colspeech/words
- கோட்டம்kōṭṭamcrookedness/bias
- இல்லதுillatubeing without
- செப்பம்ceppamimpartiality
- ஒருதலையாorutalaiyācertainly/definitely
- உள்uḷwithin/inside
- இன்மைiṉmaiabsence
- பெறின்peṟiṉif obtained
Story behind this kural
The villagers of Oakhaven often brought their disputes before Elder Theron, known for his wisdom. One day, two farmers, Silas and Elias, argued over a boundary marker. Silas, a friend of Theron, claimed the marker was wrongly placed, stealing land from him. Elias, a stranger, insisted it was correct. Theron listened intently, his face unreadable. He examined the land, the marker, and the history of the fields. Silas pleaded with passionate conviction, while Elias presented his case with quiet dignity. Theron asked each man questions, never interrupting, allowing both to speak their truth. Finally, Theron declared his judgment, adjusting the marker slightly, favoring neither man completely. Silas was visibly pleased, while Elias simply nodded, accepting the decision. Later, a young boy asked Theron why he hadn't sided with his friend. Theron smiled, “Justice must be blind. The heart must be clear before the words can be true.”