Kural #154
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
நிறையுடைமை நீங்காமை வேண்டின்
பொறையுடைமை போற்றி யொழுகப் படும்
Niṟaiyuṭaimai nīṅkāmai vēṇṭiṉ
Poṟaiyuṭaimai pōṟṟi yoḻukap paṭum
English translation
If you desire that your dignity never leave you, cherish and practice forbearance.
Listen
Explanation
Thiruvalluvar connects forbearance to dignity. Reacting with anger diminishes one's stature. True dignity is preserved through patience. Those who lose temper lose respect.
விளக்கம்
பொறுமை காத்தால் நம் மதிப்பு நிலைக்கும். கோபம் வந்தால் மரியாதை குறையும். பொறையுடைமை அதிகாரத்தில், பொறுமையே பெருமை தரும் என்பது வள்ளுவர் கருத்து. கோபத்தை விட்டு, பொறுமையுடன் இருங்கள்.
Word meanings
- நிறையுடைமைniṟaiyuṭaimaidignity/composure
- நீங்காமைnīṅkāmainot leaving/departing
- வேண்டின்vēṇṭiṉif desired
- பொறையுடைமைpoṟaiyuṭaimaiforbearance
- போற்றிpōṟṟicherishing/praising
- ஒழுகoḻukaconduct/practice
- படும்paṭumwill be/should be
Story behind this kural
The potter, Arun, was known throughout the village for his beautiful clay pots. One day, a wealthy merchant, furious that his order wasn't ready, stormed into Arun's workshop. "You waste my time!" he bellowed, kicking over a stack of Arun's finest work. Pots shattered, clay dust filling the air. Arun’s apprentice, young Ravi, clenched his fists, ready to retaliate. But Arun, face calm, simply surveyed the damage. "The wind is strong today," he said softly, "and sometimes, it brings unexpected storms." The merchant, expecting an argument, stammered, then, ashamed of his outburst, began to apologize. He offered to pay for the broken pots and even commissioned a larger order. Arun accepted his apology with grace, and the merchant left, humbled. Later, Ravi asked, "Why did you not get angry, Master?" Arun smiled. "A moment of anger can destroy a lifetime of work. Patience, like clay, can be molded into something beautiful, even after being broken."