Kural #142
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Tamil text
அறன்கடை நின்றாருள் எல்லாம்
பிறன்கடை நின்றாரின் பேதையார் இல்
Aṟaṉkaṭai niṉṟāruḷ ellām
Piṟaṉkaṭai niṉṟāriṉ pētaiyār il
English translation
Among all those who stand outside virtue, none is more foolish than one who stands at another man's door (to covet his wife).
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Explanation
Among all those who abandon virtue (அறன்கடை நின்றார்), the greatest fool is one who stands at another's doorstep with improper intentions. This particular transgression represents the height of moral failure.
விளக்கம்
பிறனில் விழையாமை அதிகாரத்தில், பிறன் மனைவியை விரும்புவதைவிட பெரிய முட்டாள்தனம் இல்லை. அறத்தை விட்டு விலகியவர்களில், அடுத்தவர் வீட்டு வாசலில் தப்பான எண்ணத்துடன் நிற்பவன் மிக மோசமானவன். இது ஒழுக்கக்கேட்டின் உச்சம். பிறன் மனைவியை விரும்பாதிருப்பதே அறம்.
Word meanings
- அறன்aṟaṉvirtue
- கடைkaṭaioutside/beyond
- நின்றாருள்niṉṟāruḷamong those who stand
- எல்லாம்ellāmall
- பிறன்piṟaṉanother's
- நின்றாரின்niṉṟāriṉthan those who stand at
- பேதையார்pētaiyārfools
- இல்ilthere are none
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a woodcutter named Arul. He was known for his strong arms and honest heart. His neighbor, Kumar, possessed a beautiful wife, Priya, and a prosperous farm. Arul admired Priya's grace and kindness, but his admiration soon turned to a hidden desire. One day, Kumar was away trading at the market. Arul, consumed by his longing, found himself drawn to Kumar’s home. He lingered near the entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of Priya. She saw him from the doorway and, with a polite smile, offered him water. Arul, ashamed of his intentions, mumbled a few words and quickly retreated. That evening, a storm raged. Arul's own hut, poorly built, began to leak. He watched as Kumar, returning from the market, helped his family secure their home against the wind and rain. Arul saw the warmth of their unity, the comfort they shared, and understood the emptiness of his own desire. He spent a restless night, filled with regret, realizing the true cost of his wandering thoughts.