Kural #227
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Tamil text
பாத்தூண் மரீஇயவன் பண்பின்றி வாழ்தலின்
வகுத்தூண் பண்புடையான் நாள் வாழ்தலின் குறைந்து
Pāttūṇ marīiyavaṉ paṇpiṉṟi vāḻtaliṉ
Vakuttūṇ paṇpuṭaiyāṉ nāḷ vāḻtaliṉ kuṟaintu
English translation
Better to live fewer days sharing food with virtue than many days eating alone without character.
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Explanation
A short life of sharing is worth more than a long life of selfishness. Quality of living matters more than quantity.
விளக்கம்
பகிர்ந்து உண்ணும் வாழ்க்கை, பண்போடு கூடியது. தனித்து உண்ணும் வாழ்க்கை, அறம் இல்லாதது. பல நாள் வாழ்ந்தாலும், அறம் இல்லாவிட்டால் பயனில்லை. ஈகை அதிகாரத்தின்படி, பகிர்ந்து வாழ்வதே சிறப்பு.
Word meanings
- பாத்துpāttusharing
- ஊண்ūṇfood
- மரீஇயவன்marīiyavaṉone accustomed to
- பண்புpaṇpucharacter/virtue
- இன்றிiṉṟiwithout
- வாழ்தலின்vāḻtaliṉthan living
- வகுத்தூண்vakuttūṇdividing food
- நாள்nāḷdays
- குறைந்துkuṟaintubeing less
Story behind this kural
In a humble village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun possessed vast lands and a plentiful harvest each year. Yet, he ate alone, hoarding his grains in massive silos, fearing any loss. Bala, on the other hand, had a small plot, yielding just enough for his family. Every harvest season, he’d share a portion with the village, knowing some days his family would go hungry. One harsh winter, a relentless blizzard swept through the village. Arun's silos remained full, but he kept his doors locked. Bala, though his stores were meager, opened his home, sharing his last handfuls of rice with shivering neighbors. The blizzard ceased. Arun, still wealthy, fell ill from loneliness and worry. Bala, though thin, thrived, surrounded by the gratitude and warmth of his community. Arun's days dwindled, while Bala's spirit shone brightly, a testament to the warmth of a generous heart.