Kural #248
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Tamil text
பொருளற்றார் பூப்பர் ஒருகால்
அருளற்றார் அற்றார்மற்று ஆதல் அரிது
Poruḷaṟṟār pūppar orukāl
Aruḷaṟṟār aṟṟārmaṟṟu ātal aritu
English translation
The poor may prosper one day, but those without compassion are forever ruined.
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Explanation
Material poverty can be overcome, but spiritual poverty through lack of compassion is irreversible. Money can be regained; a hardened heart cannot.
விளக்கம்
பொருள் இல்லாதவர் ஒருநாள் செல்வந்தராகலாம். ஆனால் கருணை இல்லாதவர் அழிந்தவரே; மீண்டும் நல்லவராக மாறுவது கடினம். அருளுடைமை அதிகாரத்தில், இரக்கமே சிறந்த அறம் என வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். கருணை இருந்தால் வாழ்வில் உயரலாம்.
Word meanings
- பொருள்poruḷwealth
- அற்றார்aṟṟārthose without
- பூப்பர்pūpparmay flourish
- ஒருகால்orukālone day
- அருள்aruḷcompassion
- அற்றார்aṟṟārare finished
- மற்றுmaṟṟuagain
- ஆதல்ātalbecoming
- அரிதுarituis difficult
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two merchants. One, named Arul, was known for his overflowing generosity. He’d often share his grain with those whose stores were low. The other, Vaalan, was shrewd and focused solely on wealth. He hoarded his riches, turning a deaf ear to the pleas of the less fortunate. A harsh winter descended, and the village faced famine. Arul, despite having shared his wealth, still had enough to feed his family and help others. Vaalan, however, watched his carefully guarded riches dwindle as the villagers, desperate, began to steal. He was left with nothing. When spring arrived, Arul, with the help of those he had aided, rebuilt his business. Vaalan, alone and bitter, was shunned by all. He had wealth once, but he lost everything. Arul, though he had less, found his spirit remained full, and his life continued to flourish.