Kural #181
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Tamil text
அறங்கூறான் அல்ல செயினும்
ஒருவன் புறங்கூறான் என்றல் இனிது
Aṟaṅkūṟāṉ alla ceyiṉum
Oruvaṉ puṟaṅkūṟāṉ eṉṟal iṉitu
English translation
Even if one does not speak of virtue and even does wrong, it is sweet to say he does not backbite.
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Explanation
A remarkable opening: even someone who is not virtuous gains respect if they avoid backbiting. Not speaking ill of others behind their backs is considered a fundamental decency.
விளக்கம்
ஒருவன் தர்மம் செய்யாவிட்டாலும், தப்பு செய்தாலும், பிறரைப் பற்றிப் புறம்பேசாமல் இருந்தால் நல்லது. புறங்கூறாமை அதிகாரத்தில், பிறர் குறையை மறைமுகமாகச் சொல்லாதது முக்கியம் என்கிறது குறள். இது அடிப்படை ஒழுக்கம்.
Word meanings
- அறம்aṟamvirtue
- கூறான்kūṟāṉdoes not speak
- அல்லallawrong
- செயினும்ceyiṉumeven if doing
- ஒருவன்oruvaṉa person
- புறம்puṟambehind (someone)
- என்றல்eṉṟalto say
- இனிதுiṉitusweet/pleasant
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers: Thiru and Kumar. Thiru was known for his generous spirit and bountiful harvests. Kumar, however, often grumbled, his fields yielding less. One market day, Kumar's crops failed to sell. Frustrated, he muttered to a group of villagers about Thiru, claiming his success came from unfair practices. The villagers, eager for gossip, approached Thiru, recounting Kumar's words. They expected outrage, perhaps a heated argument. Instead, Thiru listened patiently. He simply smiled and said, "Kumar is having a difficult time. Let's offer him help with his next planting." The villagers, taken aback, helped Kumar. Seeing their kindness, Kumar felt ashamed. He later apologized to Thiru, who welcomed him warmly. Soon, Kumar's harvests improved, not through shortcuts, but through hard work and the support of the village. The whispers about Thiru's supposed misdeeds faded.