Kural #182
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Tamil text
அறனழீஇ அல்லவை செய்தலின் தீதே
புறனழீஇப் பொய்த்து நகை
Aṟaṉaḻīi allavai ceytalin tītē
Puṟaṉaḻīip poyttu nakai
English translation
Worse than destroying virtue and doing evil is slandering behind and laughing falsely in front.
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Explanation
Two-faced behavior is condemned: speaking ill of someone in their absence and pretending friendship to their face. This hypocrisy is worse than direct wrongdoing.
விளக்கம்
ஒருவர் இல்லாதபோது அவரைப் பற்றித் தவறாகப் பேசுவது, நேரில் சிரித்துப் பழகுவதைவிடக் கொடுமையானது. அறத்தை அழித்துத் தீமை செய்வதைவிட இது மோசமானது. புறங்கூறாமை அதிகாரத்தில், இந்தத் திருக்குறள் இரட்டை வேடம் போடுவதன் தீமையைக் காட்டுகிறது.
Word meanings
- அறன்aṟaṉvirtue
- அழீஇaḻīidestroying
- அல்லவைallavaievil things
- செய்தலின்ceytalinthan doing
- தீதேtītēis worse
- புறன்puṟaṉbehind
- அழீஇaḻīidestroying
- பொய்த்துpoyttufalsely
- நகைnakailaughing/smiling
Story behind this kural
The potter, Arun, was known throughout the village for his sturdy pots. Maya, the weaver, often admired his skill, yet in Arun’s absence, she’d whisper to others about his clumsy hands. She’d say his pots, though strong, were far from beautiful. One day, Arun brought a new, exquisitely crafted water jug to the village well. Maya rushed over, praising its elegance to Arun's face, gushing over his artistry. Arun, seeing the crowd around him, beamed with pride. Later, Maya found the baker, sneering at Arun’s jug, calling it a waste of clay. The baker, who had heard Maya's earlier praise, simply turned away. Soon after, a storm raged through the village, breaking several pots, including Arun's beautiful jug. The villagers, now in need of replacements, remembered Arun’s strong, if plain, pots. They sought him out, leaving Maya alone, her words now worthless.