Kural #135
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Tamil text
அழுக்கா றுடையான்கண் ஆக்கம்போன்று
இல்லை ஒழுக்க மிலான்கண் உயர்வு
Aḻukkā ṟuṭaiyāṉkaṇ ākkampōṉṟu
Illai oḻukka milāṉkaṇ uyarvu
English translation
Just as prosperity does not remain with the envious, greatness does not remain with the one lacking good conduct.
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Explanation
Envy (அழுக்காறு) drives away wealth; similarly, lack of proper conduct (ஒழுக்கம் இலான்) drives away true greatness (உயர்வு). Both vices repel the very things people desire most.
விளக்கம்
அழுக்காறு உள்ளவரிடம் செல்வம் தங்காது. அதுபோல, நல்லொழுக்கம் இல்லாதவரிடம் பெருமை நிலைக்காது. ஒழுக்கமுடைமை அதிகாரத்தில், ஒழுக்கத்தின் முக்கியத்துவத்தை இது உணர்த்துகிறது. பொறாமையும் ஒழுக்கமின்மையும் உயர்வைத் தடுக்கும்.
Word meanings
- அழுக்காறுaḻukkāṟuenvy
- உடையான்கண்uṭaiyāṉkaṇin one who has
- ஆக்கம்ākkamprosperity
- போன்றுpōṉṟulike/similar to
- இல்லைillaiis not
- ஒழுக்கம்oḻukkamconduct
- இலான்கண்ilāṉkaṇin one without
- உயர்வுuyarvugreatness
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun possessed fertile land and a bountiful harvest each year. Yet, he envied Bala’s small, but tidy, farm, constantly grumbling about his neighbor’s good fortune. Arun’s envy poisoned his spirit; he became rude to his workers and dishonest in the marketplace. His fields, once vibrant, began to yield less, and his neighbors avoided him. Bala, on the other hand, was known for his honesty and kindness. He treated everyone with respect, sharing his harvest freely. His farm was modest, but his heart was generous. Villagers often sought his counsel, and his reputation grew with each passing season. Even though Arun’s farm was initially more prosperous, his envy withered his success, while Bala’s good conduct nurtured a lasting and respected life.