Kural #223
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Tamil text
இலனென்னும் எவ்வம் உரையாமை
ஈதல் குலனுடையான் கண்ணே உள
Ilaṉeṉṉum evvam uraiyāmai
Ītal kulaṉuṭaiyāṉ kaṇṇē uḷa
English translation
The truly noble give before the needy utter the painful words "I have nothing."
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Explanation
Noble charity anticipates need. The dignified giver spares the poor the humiliation of begging.
விளக்கம்
இலன்" என்று ஒருவர் சொல்லும் துன்பமான வார்த்தையைச் சொல்லாமல், கொடுப்பதே சிறந்த ஈகை. குணம் நிறைந்தவரிடமே இந்த உதவி செய்யும் மனப்பான்மை இருக்கும். யாசிப்பவரின் கஷ்டத்தை உணர்ந்து உதவி செய்வதே அறம்.
Word meanings
- இலன்ilaṉI have nothing
- என்னும்eṉṉumsaying
- எவ்வம்evvampainful word
- உரையாமைuraiyāmainot saying
- ஈதல்ītalgiving
- குலன்kulaṉnobility
- உடையான்uṭaiyāṉone who has
- கண்ணேkaṇṇēin
- உளuḷaexist
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a generous farmer named Arul. His fields always yielded a bountiful harvest, and his heart overflowed with kindness. One harsh winter, the villagers struggled. Food became scarce, and the faces of the children grew thin. Arul noticed the worry etched on his neighbor's faces. Before anyone could voice their hardship, he quietly began to act. Each morning, he left baskets of grain at the doorsteps of the families he knew were struggling. He also made sure that no one in his village had to go to sleep hungry. One day, a young boy, whose family had received Arul's kindness, asked him, "Why do you give us food, even before we ask?" Arul simply smiled and replied, "Because a true friend sees the need before it is spoken." The villagers, touched by his foresight, found warmth in their hearts and food in their bellies throughout the difficult winter.