Kural #203
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Tamil text
அறிவினுள் எல்லாம் தலையென்ப
தீய செறுவார்க்கும் செய்யா விடல்
Aṟiviṉuḷ ellām talaiyeṉpa
Tīya ceṟuvārkkum ceyyā viṭal
English translation
The highest of all wisdom is to refrain from doing evil even to one's enemies.
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Explanation
True intelligence is not about winning against enemies but refusing to harm them. Even when provoked, the wise person controls the impulse to retaliate with evil.
விளக்கம்
தீய செயல்களைப் பகைவருக்கும் செய்யாமல் விடுவதே சிறந்த அறிவு. தீவினையச்சம் அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம். பழிக்குப் பழி வாங்காமல் இருப்பது உயர்ந்த அறம், அதுவே மெய்யான ஞானம்.
Word meanings
- அறிவினுள்aṟiviṉuḷamong wisdom/knowledge
- எல்லாம்ellāmall
- தலைtalaichief/highest
- என்பeṉpathey say
- தீயtīyaevil things
- செறுவார்க்கும்ceṟuvārkkumeven to enemies
- செய்யாceyyānot doing
- விடல்viṭalto leave/refrain
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering river lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun's fields flourished, blessed by the sun and rain. Bala's crops, however, often failed. Jealousy took root in Bala's heart. One night, fueled by resentment, he snuck into Arun's fields and poisoned the well. The next morning, Arun discovered the tainted water. His heart ached, knowing the loss of his harvest was inevitable. He could have retaliated, informed the village elder, and brought down harsh punishment on Bala. Instead, Arun quietly filled his own well, watered his crops, and shared the clean water with Bala’s parched land. Bala, watching Arun’s actions, was overwhelmed with shame. He confessed his misdeed, expecting anger. But Arun only smiled, offering Bala a helping hand in repairing his damaged fields. That season, both farmers reaped a bountiful harvest.