Kural #156
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Tamil text
ஒறுத்தார்க்கு ஒருநாளை இன்பம்
பொறுத்தார்க்குப் பொன்றும் துணையும் புகழ்
Oṟuttārkku orunāḷai iṉpam
Poṟuttārkkup poṉṟum tuṇaiyum pukaḻ
English translation
Those who retaliate enjoy only a day's pleasure; but those who forbear will have glory until death.
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Explanation
Revenge gives momentary satisfaction - just one day's pleasure. But forbearance brings lasting fame that endures until death and beyond. Short-term gratification versus eternal honor.
விளக்கம்
பழி வாங்குவதால் ஒருநாள் இன்பம் கிடைக்கும். ஆனால், பொறுமையுடன் இருப்பவர்களுக்கு சாகும் வரை புகழ் நிலைக்கும். பொறையுடைமை அதிகாரத்தில், பொறுமையின் சிறப்பை வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். கோபத்தை அடக்கி, பொறுத்தால் பெருமை சேரும்.
Word meanings
- ஒறுத்தார்க்குoṟuttārkkufor those who retaliate
- ஒருநாளைorunāḷaione day's
- இன்பம்iṉpampleasure
- பொறுத்தார்க்குpoṟuttārkkufor those who forbear
- பொன்றும்poṉṟumuntil death
- துணையும்tuṇaiyumextent/measure
- புகழ்pukaḻglory/fame
Story behind this kural
In a quiet village nestled beside a shimmering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his quick temper. One day, Bala’s cow accidentally trampled Arun's young rice seedlings. Furious, Arun stormed over, yelling insults and demanding compensation. Bala, though his heart ached at the damage, apologized sincerely and promised to help Arun replant. The villagers watched, expecting a fight. But Bala, instead of arguing, spent the next few days helping Arun. He worked tirelessly, even as Arun continued to grumble. Eventually, Arun, ashamed of his behavior, apologized to Bala. The villagers, witnessing Bala’s patience and Arun’s eventual remorse, spoke of Bala’s kindness for years to come. Arun's anger faded quickly, forgotten with the setting sun. But Bala's act of forbearance shone brightly, remembered long after the harvest.