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Kural #132

Virtue· அறம்Possession of Decorum· ஒழுக்கமுடைமை

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Tamil text

பரிந்தோம்பிக் காக்க ஒழுக்கம்

தெரிந்தோம்பித் தேரினும் அஃதே துணை

Parintōmpik kākka oḻukkam

Terintōmpit tēriṉum aqdē tuṇai

English translation

Cherish and guard your conduct with great care; even when you examine all things, that alone will be your support.

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Explanation

Guard your conduct with loving care (பரிந்து ஓம்பி). When you analyze everything in life, you will find that only good character remains as your true support (துணை). Everything else may fail you, but virtue stands firm.

விளக்கம்

ஒழுக்கத்தை அன்போடு காக்கணும். வாழ்க்கையில எதை ஆராய்ஞ்சாலும், நல்ல நடத்தைதான் நமக்கு உறுதுணையா இருக்கும். ஒழுக்கம் உடைமை அதிகாரத்துல இது முக்கியம். நற்பண்பே நமக்கு என்றும் துணை.

Word meanings

  • பரிந்துparintuwith affection/care
  • ஓம்பிōmpicherishing
  • காக்கkākkaguard
  • ஒழுக்கம்oḻukkamconduct
  • தெரிந்துterintuexamining
  • தேரினும்tēriṉumeven if you search
  • அஃதேaqdēthat alone
  • துணைtuṇaisupport/help

Story behind this kural

In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest lived two brothers, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his sharp wit and clever schemes, always seeking the quickest path to riches. Bala, however, valued honesty and kindness above all else. He worked diligently, treating everyone with respect, even when faced with Arun’s taunts. One year, a terrible drought struck. The crops withered, and the villagers grew desperate. Arun, using his cunning, hoarded what little grain remained, selling it at exorbitant prices. He grew wealthy, while others suffered. Bala, though facing hardship himself, shared his meager stores and offered comfort to his neighbors. When the rains finally returned, a fire swept through the village, consuming homes and fortunes. Arun lost everything he had greedily accumulated. But Bala, though his home was gone, found himself surrounded by friends and neighbors, all eager to help rebuild his life. They remembered his generosity and offered their support, proving that true wealth lies in the character one cultivates.