Kural #128
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Tamil text
ஒன்றானுந் தீச்சொல் பொருட்பயன்
உண்டாயின் நன்றாகா தாகி விடும்
Oṉṟāṉun tīccol poruṭpayaṉ
Uṇṭāyiṉ naṉṟākā tāki viṭum
English translation
Even a single harsh word, if it carries any harmful meaning, will destroy all the good one has done.
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Explanation
One careless harsh word can undo years of good deeds. Even if you have accumulated much merit, a single தீச்சொல் (evil word) with harmful intent can nullify it all. Guard speech with utmost care.
விளக்கம்
தீய சொல், சிறிதாயினும் தீங்கு செய்தால், அது நம் நல்ல செயல்களை அழித்துவிடும். அடக்கமுடைமை அதிகாரத்தில், இது பேச்சில் கவனமாக இருக்க சொல்கிறது. ஒரு கெட்ட வார்த்தை, செய்த புண்ணியத்தை கெடுக்கும்.
Word meanings
- ஒன்றானும்oṉṟāṉumeven one
- தீtīevil/bad
- சொல்colword
- பொருள்poruḷmeaning
- பயன்payaṉeffect/result
- உண்டாயின்uṇṭāyiṉif there is
- நன்றுnaṉṟugood
- ஆகாதாகிவிடும்ākātākiviṭumwill cease to be
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a kind baker named Elara. For years, she had fed the poor, offering warm bread to anyone in need. Her generosity was known throughout the land. One day, a wealthy merchant, angered by a minor dispute, stormed into Elara's shop. "Your bread is stale!" he roared, his face contorted with rage, before flinging a loaf onto the floor. Elara, though hurt, remained silent. Word of the merchant's outburst spread quickly. Soon, people began to remember other small imperfections in Elara's bread, the occasional burnt crust, a slightly uneven loaf. The merchant’s harsh words echoed, overshadowing years of kindness. The villagers, once eager for her bread, now hesitated, their faith shaken. Though Elara continued to bake and give, the warmth of her generosity felt diminished, the joy of her giving overshadowed by a single moment of ill-spoken words.