Kural #273
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Tamil text
வலியில் நிலைமையான் வல்லுருவம்
பெற்றம் புலியின்தோல் போர்த்துமேய்ந் தற்று
Valiyil nilaimaiyāṉ valluravum
Peṟṟam puliyiṉtōl pōrttumēyn taṟṟu
English translation
One without inner strength assuming a powerful appearance is like a cow grazing while wearing a tiger's skin.
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Explanation
A vivid and humorous image. A cow dressed in tiger skin may look fearsome but remains a cow in nature and behavior. Similarly, those who lack genuine virtue but adopt an austere appearance only fool themselves.
விளக்கம்
உள்ளுக்குள் வலிமையில்லாதவர், புலியைப் போல் வேடமிடுவது, புலித்தோல் போர்த்திய பசு மேய்வது போலாகும். கூடாவொழுக்கம் அதிகாரத்தில், இது போலியான தோற்றத்தால் ஒரு பயனும் இல்லை என்கிறது. உண்மை குணமே முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- வலிvalistrength
- இல்ilwithout
- நிலைமையான்nilaimaiyāṉone in that condition
- வல்valpowerful
- உருவம்uruvamappearance/form
- பெற்றம்peṟṟamcow
- புலியின்puliyiṉof a tiger
- தோல்tōlskin
- போர்த்துpōrttuwearing
- மேய்ந்தற்றுmēyntaṟṟugrazing
Story behind this kural
In a peaceful village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a sheep named Bartholomew. Bartholomew was known for his gentle nature and love of clover. One day, he found a discarded wolf skin near the edge of the woods. An idea sparked in his woolly head. He donned the skin, hoping to appear strong and respected. The other sheep, initially frightened, soon realized it was still Bartholomew beneath the disguise. He tried to roar, but only managed a weak bleat. He attempted to chase away a fox, but ended up tripping over his own hooves. The other animals chuckled. The wolf skin did not change his true nature. He continued to graze peacefully, the fearsome facade a comical contrast to his gentle heart. The villagers, once wary, now found Bartholomew’s act a source of amusement. They knew that true strength came from within, not from borrowed appearances.