Kural #236
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Tamil text
தோன்றின் புகழொடு தோன்றுக
அஃதிலார் தோன்றலின் தோன்றாமை நன்று
Tōṉṟiṉ pukaḻoṭu tōṉṟuka
Aḵtilār tōṉṟaliṉ tōṉṟāmai naṉṟu
English translation
If you are to be born, be born with fame; for those without it, not being born is better.
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Explanation
A life without contribution to society is wasted. Better not to exist than to live without leaving a positive legacy.
விளக்கம்
புகழுடன் பிறக்க வேண்டும். புகழ் இல்லாவிட்டால், பிறக்காமல் இருப்பதே மேல். இது புகழ் அதிகாரத்தில் வருகிறது. நல்ல பெயர் எடுக்காமல் வாழ்வது வீண்.
Word meanings
- தோன்றின்tōṉṟiṉif appearing/born
- புகழொடுpukaḻoṭuwith fame
- தோன்றுகtōṉṟukalet one appear
- அஃதுaḵtuthat
- இலார்ilārthose without
- தோன்றலின்tōṉṟaliṉthan appearing
- தோன்றாமைtōṉṟāmainot appearing
- நன்றுnaṉṟuis good
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two potters. Kumar, the first, crafted sturdy, plain vessels. His pots served their purpose, holding water and grain, but brought no particular joy. After a few years, Kumar vanished and was soon forgotten. The second potter, Ravi, made pots of exquisite beauty. He sculpted intricate patterns, painted vibrant scenes, and each pot seemed to sing with life. Villagers treasured Ravi's creations, displaying them with pride. His name echoed in every home. When a great drought struck, the village faced hardship. Kumar's simple pots were useful, but offered little comfort. Ravi, however, crafted a grand water vessel, adorned with a sun god, which the villagers used to pray for rain. When the rains came, they celebrated Ravi, whose name and legacy lived on.