Kural #168
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Tamil text
அழுக்காற்றின் அல்லற் படுவோன்
செழுக்காற்றின் செல்வம் பெறினும் வளம்
Aḻukkāṟṟiṉ allaṟ paṭuvōṉ
Ceḻukkāṟṟiṉ celvam peṟiṉum vaḷam
English translation
The envious one, though he may obtain abundant wealth, will only suffer misery.
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Explanation
Even if an envious person somehow acquires great wealth, they cannot enjoy it. Their envy prevents happiness and brings only suffering. Wealth without inner peace is worthless.
விளக்கம்
பொறாமை கொண்டவன் நிறைய செல்வம் பெற்றாலும் துன்பப்படுவான். அழுக்காறாமை அதிகாரத்தில், உள்ளத்தில் மகிழ்ச்சி இல்லாவிட்டால் செல்வம் பயனில்லை என்கிறது குறள். மன அமைதியே உண்மையான வளம். பொறாமை துன்பத்தையே தரும்.
Word meanings
- அழுக்காறுaḻukkāṟuenvy
- அல்லல்allalsuffering/misery
- படுவோன்paṭuvōṉone who experiences
- செழுக்குceḻukkuabundance
- ஆற்றின்āṟṟiṉthrough the path
- செல்வம்celvamwealth
- பெறினும்peṟiṉumeven if obtained
- வளம்vaḷamprosperity
Story behind this kural
In a prosperous village nestled beside a shimmering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun toiled diligently, his fields yielding bountiful harvests. Bala, however, constantly watched Arun, his heart filled with a gnawing unease. "Why does Arun's land always flourish?" he'd grumble, even as his own crops withered. One year, a fortunate turn brought Bala unexpected riches. A hidden vein of precious stones was found on his land, making him wealthier than even the king. Yet, Bala found no joy. He spent his days fretting: "Why does Arun have such healthy oxen? Why is his house so sturdy?" He built a grand palace, but its walls felt like a prison. He feasted on the finest foods, but his appetite was gone. He possessed everything, yet his heart remained a barren field, devoid of contentment. Arun, meanwhile, continued to farm, his happiness blossoming with each sunrise, his joy flowing like the river beside their village.