Kural #272
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
வானுயர் தோற்றம் எவன்செய்யும்
தன்நெஞ்சம் தான்அறி குற்றப் படின்
Vāṉuyar tōṟṟam evaṉceyyum
Taṉneñcam tāṉaṟi kuṟṟap paṭiṉ
English translation
What use is a sky-high appearance if one's own heart knows of faults committed?
Listen
Explanation
External appearances of virtue, however lofty, are worthless when one's conscience is aware of wrongdoing. The inner witness cannot be deceived, and that knowledge undermines any outward pretense.
விளக்கம்
மனதில் குற்றம் இருந்தால், வெளியில் காட்டும் நல்ல தோற்றம் பயனில்லை. கூடாவொழுக்கம் அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம். உள்ளொன்று வைத்து புறமொன்று பேசும் வாழ்க்கை தவறு. உண்மை முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- வான்vāṉsky
- உயர்uyarhigh
- தோற்றம்tōṟṟamappearance
- எவன்evaṉwhat
- செய்யும்ceyyumwill do
- தன்taṉone's own
- நெஞ்சம்neñcamheart
- தான்tāṉitself
- அறிaṟiknows
- குற்றப்படின்kuṟṟappaṭiṉif there are faults
Story behind this kural
The village elder, Thiru, was known for his piety. Each morning, he led prayers in the temple, his voice booming with devotion. He wore simple white robes, and his home was always open to the poor. Everyone admired his gentle smile and wise words. One day, a merchant accused Thiru of secretly hoarding grain during a famine, selling it at inflated prices. The villagers were shocked, refusing to believe it. They dismissed the merchant's claims as envy. But that night, Thiru tossed and turned. He saw the hungry faces of the villagers, the coins in his strongbox, the weight of his actions pressing on his soul. The moon shone through his window, illuminating the truth he tried to hide. His once peaceful face now bore the marks of his deceit. He could no longer bear the weight. The next morning, Thiru confessed, returning the excess grain to the village. The villagers were saddened, realizing that true goodness came from within, not just from what could be seen.