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Kural #238

Virtue· அறம்Renown· புகழ்

Last reviewed:

Tamil text

வசைஎன்ப வையத்தார்க்கு எல்லாம்

இசைஎன்னும் எச்சம் பெறாஅ விடின்

Vacaieṉpa vaiyattārkku ellām

Icaieṉṉum eccam peṟāa viṭiṉ

English translation

They say all who fail to leave fame as their legacy will only leave blame behind.

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Explanation

If you cannot leave behind the legacy of fame, you will leave behind the legacy of blame. There is no neutral middle ground.

விளக்கம்

புகழ் என்னும் அதிகாரத்தில், வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். உலகில் வாழும் மனிதர்கள் புகழோடு வாழாவிட்டால், அவர்களுக்கு நிந்தனையே மிஞ்சும். நல்ல பெயரை விட்டுச் செல்லாவிட்டால், கெட்ட பெயரே எஞ்சும். ஆகையால், நல்ல செயல்களைச் செய்து புகழைத் தேடிக்கொள்ள வேண்டும்.

Word meanings

  • வசைvacaiblame/disgrace
  • என்பeṉpathey say
  • வையத்தார்க்குvaiyattārkkufor worldly people
  • எல்லாம்ellāmall
  • இசைicaifame
  • என்னும்eṉṉumcalled
  • எச்சம்eccamlegacy/remainder
  • பெறாஅpeṟāanot obtaining
  • விடின்viṭiṉif

Story behind this kural

In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two potters, Arun and Bala. Arun crafted beautiful, intricate vessels, sought after by the king himself. His name echoed through the marketplace, praised for his skill and generosity. He taught his craft to any who wished to learn, sharing his knowledge freely. Bala, however, was envious. He made pots too, but they were plain and unremarkable. He hoarded his techniques, fearing competition, and grumbled about Arun's success. When Arun's kiln caught fire one day, Bala did nothing to help. Years passed. Arun's legacy lived on; his apprentices became skilled potters, spreading beauty throughout the land. But Bala? His name was spoken only in hushed whispers, a reminder of bitterness and missed opportunities. The only thing people recalled about him was the lack of kindness in his heart.