Kural #192
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Tamil text
பயனில பல்லார்முன் சொல்லல்
நயனில நட்டார்கண் செய்தலிற் றீது
Payaṉila pallārmuṉ collal
Nayaṉila naṭṭārkaṇ ceytaliṟ ṟītu
English translation
Speaking useless words before many is worse than doing unkind deeds to friends.
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Explanation
A striking comparison: vain public speech is worse than harming friends. Meaningless talk before an audience damages one's reputation more than private wrongdoing. Public foolishness is harder to undo.
விளக்கம்
பயனில்லாததை பலர் முன் சொல்வது, நண்பர்களிடம் அன்பு இல்லாமல் நடப்பதை விட மோசமானது. பயனற்ற பேச்சு நம் மதிப்பை கெடுக்கும். நண்பர்களிடம் தவறாக நடந்துகொண்டால் திருத்திக்கொள்ளலாம், ஆனால் பொது இடத்தில் முட்டாள்தனமாக பேசினால் அது மாறாது. இது பயனில சொல்லாமை அதிகாரத்தின் முக்கிய கருத்து.
Word meanings
- பயன்payaṉbenefit
- இலilawithout
- பல்லார்pallārmany
- முன்muṉbefore
- சொல்லல்collalspeaking
- நயன்nayaṉkindness
- இலilawithout
- நட்டார்naṭṭārfriends
- கண்kaṇtowards
- செய்தலின்ceytaliṉthan doing
- தீதுtītuworse
Story behind this kural
In a bustling village square, stood a merchant named Arun. He was known for his booming voice and love of storytelling. One day, eager to impress, Arun began to boast of his nonexistent riches. He spun tales of gold-filled ships and lands overflowing with jewels, to the delight of the crowd. Meanwhile, his childhood friend, Bala, quietly struggled to repair his broken cart. Arun, blinded by his own performance, did not offer help, nor even a word of greeting. Later, the villagers, having discovered Arun’s empty claims, whispered amongst themselves. They saw through his grand pronouncements. However, they found Bala's cart, though still broken, a testament to his honest labor. Arun's words, they realized, held no value, while his actions towards his friend were even more revealing. The laughter that had filled the square now turned into knowing glances, as they went about their business.