Kural #289
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
அளவல்ல செய்தாங்கே வீவர்
களவல்ல மற்றைய தேற்றா தவர்
Aḷavalla ceytāṅkē vīvar
Kaḷavalla maṟṟaiya tēṟṟā tavar
English translation
Those who do not learn anything other than theft will perish immediately upon doing what is beyond limits.
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Explanation
People who have learned only to steal and nothing else of value will quickly meet destruction when they transgress limits. Their lack of other knowledge or skills leaves them vulnerable.
விளக்கம்
களவு மட்டுமே கற்று, மற்ற திறன்கள் அறியாதவர், வரம்பு மீறினால் அழிவர். கள்ளாமை அதிகாரத்தில், திருக்குறள் ஒழுக்கத்தை வலியுறுத்துகிறது. தீய வழியில் செல்வது விரைவில் துன்பம் தரும். நல்வழியில் வாழ்தலே சிறந்தது.
Word meanings
- அளவுaḷavulimit
- அல்லallabeyond/not
- செய்துceytudoing
- ஆங்கேāṅkēimmediately
- வீவர்vīvarwill perish
- களவுkaḷavutheft
- அல்லallaother than
- மற்றையmaṟṟaiyaother things
- தேற்றாதவர்tēṟṟātavarthose who have not learned
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a cunning fox named Reynard. He knew only one trade: stealing. He’d pilfer eggs from hens, snatch fish from drying lines, and once, even tried to swipe the farmer’s prize-winning pumpkin. One day, Reynard saw the royal caravan arrive, laden with jewels and gold. His eyes gleamed. He devised a plan to infiltrate the camp, hoping for a grand heist. He slipped in under the cover of dusk, but he didn't notice the royal guards training with their swords. He crept towards the treasure chest, his paws silent on the ground. Suddenly, a guard spotted him. Reynard, terrified, tried to flee, but he tripped over a discarded tent rope. The guards seized him immediately. His only skill, theft, was useless against their training and swords. He was swiftly brought before the king, his fate sealed.