Kural #152
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Tamil text
பொறுத்தல் இறப்பினை என்றும்
அதனை மறத்தல் அதனினும் நன்று
Poṟuttal iṟappiṉai eṉṟum
Ataṉai maṟattal ataṉiṉum naṉṟu
English translation
It is good to bear with the insult at all times; but to forget it is even better.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar progresses from tolerance to complete forgetting. Merely tolerating while remembering the hurt is not complete forgiveness. True nobility lies in forgetting the offense entirely, freeing both parties.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 152: ஒருவர் செய்த தவற்றை பொறுத்துக்கொள்வது நல்லது. ஆனால், அந்தத் தவற்றை மனதிலிருந்து முழுமையாக மறந்துவிடுவது அதைவிட மேலானது. இது பொறையுடைமை அதிகாரத்தில் வருகிறது. மறதி, பகை உணர்வை நீக்கி மன அமைதி தரும்.
Word meanings
- பொறுத்தல்poṟuttalbearing/tolerating
- இறப்பினைiṟappiṉaithe transgression/insult
- என்றும்eṉṟumalways/at all times
- அதனைataṉaithat
- மறத்தல்maṟattalforgetting
- அதனினும்ataṉiṉumthan that
- நன்றுnaṉṟugood/better
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun, known for his quick temper, once accused Bala of stealing his prized oxen. Though Bala was innocent, Arun's anger burned bright. Bala, however, remained silent, bearing the harsh words with a quiet nod. Later, the village elder, observing their strained interactions, advised Bala, "Forgiveness is a virtue, but forgetting is a greater grace." Months passed. Arun, regretting his outburst, often avoided Bala. One day, a fierce storm threatened the village crops. Arun's barn, filled with precious harvest, was at risk. Bala, seeing his neighbor’s plight, rushed to help, working tirelessly through the night to secure Arun's barn. The next morning, Arun, humbled and grateful, approached Bala, offering a heartfelt apology. Bala simply smiled, as if the harsh words of the past had never been spoken. The two men worked together, their shared effort forging a bond stronger than before.