Kural #125
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Tamil text
எல்லார்க்கும் நன்றாம் பணிதல்
அவருள்ளும் செல்வர்க்கே செல்வம் தகைத்து
Ellārkkum naṉṟām paṇital
Avaruḷḷum celvarkke celvam takaittu
English translation
Humility is good for everyone, but especially for the wealthy - it is the wealth within their wealth.
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Explanation
Humility (பணிதல்) benefits all, but for the rich it is especially valuable - it is wealth on top of wealth. A humble wealthy person has true riches, while an arrogant rich person is spiritually poor despite material abundance.
விளக்கம்
பணிவு எல்லாருக்கும் நல்லது. ஆனா செல்வந்தர்கள் பணிவா இருந்தா அது அவங்களுக்கு மேலும் சிறப்பு. அடக்கம், செல்வத்தோட செல்வம் போல, அவங்கள அழகாக்கும். பணிவுடைமை அதிகாரத்துல இது முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- எல்லார்க்கும்ellārkkumfor everyone
- நன்றாம்naṉṟāmis good
- பணிதல்paṇitalhumility/bowing
- அவருள்ளும்avaruḷḷumamong them also
- செல்வர்க்கேcelvarkkēfor the wealthy especially
- செல்வம்celvamwealth
- தகைத்துtakaittubefitting/appropriate
Story behind this kural
In a prosperous village nestled beside a shimmering river, lived two merchants: Silas and Elias. Silas, with a booming voice and a chest puffed with pride, flaunted his silks and spices. He demanded deference, treating the villagers with disdain. His wealth was known throughout the land, yet he remained perpetually unsatisfied, always wanting more. Elias, on the other hand, was equally wealthy, but his heart was as gentle as the flowing river. He greeted everyone with a warm smile, offering help to those in need. He listened patiently to the concerns of others, his humility a soothing balm. One day, a terrible storm swept through the village, leaving many homes destroyed. Silas, concerned only for his own warehouses, grumbled about the losses. Elias, however, immediately organized aid, sharing his resources and comforting the distraught villagers. The villagers, though battered, found solace in Elias's kindness. In the aftermath, Elias's wealth felt far greater than Silas's.