Kural #138
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Tamil text
நன்றிக்கு வித்தாகும் நல்லொழுக்கம்
தீயொழுக்கம் என்றும் இடும்பை தரும்
Naṉṟikku vittākum nalloḻukkam
Tīyoḻukkam eṉṟum iṭumpai tarum
English translation
Good conduct is the seed of all virtue; bad conduct will always bring sorrow.
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Explanation
நல்லொழுக்கம் (good conduct) is like a seed (வித்து) - it grows into all virtues. தீயொழுக்கம் (bad conduct) produces only இடும்பை (sorrow/suffering), always (என்றும்). Plant the right seeds in your character.
விளக்கம்
நல்லொழுக்கம் எல்லா நன்மைகளுக்கும் விதை போன்றது. ஒழுக்கம் தவறினால் எப்போதும் துன்பமே மிஞ்சும். ஒழுக்கமுடைமை அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம். நல்ல பண்புகளை வளர்த்து மகிழ்ச்சியாக வாழலாம்.
Word meanings
- நன்றிக்குnaṉṟikkufor virtue/goodness
- வித்துvittuseed
- ஆகும்ākumbecomes
- நல்லொழுக்கம்nalloḻukkamgood conduct
- தீயொழுக்கம்tīyoḻukkambad conduct
- என்றும்eṉṟumalways
- இடும்பைiṭumpaisorrow
- தரும்tarumwill give
Story behind this kural
In a sun-drenched village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his honesty. He’d return a lost coin, help a neighbor in need, and treat his land with care. His crops flourished, his family thrived, and peace filled his days. Bala, however, was known for his deceit. He’d cheat in the marketplace, speak ill of others, and neglect his fields. Though he seemed to gain wealth quickly, his harvests were meager, and his family was constantly at odds. Whispers of distrust followed him, and shadows seemed to cling to his home. One year, a great storm ravaged the land. Arun’s well-tended fields, though battered, still offered a harvest. But Bala’s neglected crops were utterly destroyed. As Arun shared his bounty, Bala, humbled and alone, understood the true measure of a man’s worth.