Kural #228
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Tamil text
ஈத்துவக்கும் இன்பம் அறியார்கொல்
தாமுடைமை வைத்திழக்கும் வன்க ணவர்
Īttuvakkum iṉpam aṟiyārkol
Tāmuṭaimai vaittiḻakkum vaṉka ṇavar
English translation
Do those who hoard and lose their wealth not know the joy of giving?
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Explanation
Misers who guard their wealth only to lose it never experience the true pleasure of generosity. Giving brings a joy that hoarding never can.
விளக்கம்
ஈகை அதிகாரத்தில் வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார்: கஞ்சத்தனம் உடையவர்கள் பொருளைச் சேர்த்து வைத்து இழக்கிறார்கள். கொடுத்து மகிழும் இன்பத்தை அவர்கள் அறியவில்லை. கொடுப்பதில் கிடைக்கும் சந்தோஷம் வேறு எதிலும் இல்லை.
Word meanings
- ஈத்துīttuhaving given
- உவக்கும்uvakkumrejoicing
- இன்பம்iṉpamjoy
- அறியார்கொல்aṟiyārkoldo they not know?
- தாம்tāmthey
- உடைமைuṭaimaipossession
- வைத்துvaittukeeping
- இழக்கும்iḻakkumlosing
- வன்கணவர்vaṉkaṇavarhard-hearted ones
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a shimmering lake lived two merchants. One, Silas, was known for his overflowing coffers. He guarded his wealth fiercely, counting every coin nightly. The other, Thomas, was generous. He shared his profits, providing food and shelter to the needy. A great drought struck. The lake dwindled, and crops withered. Silas, huddled in his fortified home, watched his grain rot in the storehouse. He had ample supplies, but fear kept him from sharing. Thomas, though his own stores were limited, offered what he could. He helped his neighbors build wells, sharing his knowledge and resources. While Silas's wealth diminished with the spoiled harvest, Thomas's community thrived. They helped each other, and when rain finally returned, their fields flourished. Silas, left with nothing but useless grain, saw his neighbors rebuilding their lives, their faces lit with gratitude and a shared sense of triumph.