Kural #301
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Tamil text
செல்இடத்துக் காப்பான் சினங்காப்பான்
அல்இடத்துக் காக்கின்என் காவாக்கால் என்
Celliṭattuk kāppāṉ ciṉaṅkāppāṉ
Alliṭattuk kākkiṉeṉ kāvākkāl eṉ
English translation
He who controls his anger against those weaker than himself truly controls anger; what use is restraint against those more powerful?
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Explanation
True mastery over anger is shown when one restrains it against those who cannot retaliate. Restraining anger against the powerful is merely self-preservation, not virtue. This kural challenges us to examine the true nature of our self-control.
விளக்கம்
தன் வலிமை குறைந்தவரிடம் கோபம் காட்டாமல் இருப்பதே வெகுளாமை. வலியவரிடம் கோபம் அடக்குவது பயத்தால் செய்வது. இது கோபம் அடக்கும் அதிகாரத்தில் முக்கியமானது. அடக்கம் தேவை இல்லாத இடத்தில் என்ன பயன்?
Word meanings
- செல்celthat which prevails/effective
- இடத்துiṭattuplace/situation
- காப்பான்kāppāṉone who guards/protects
- சினம்ciṉamanger
- அல்alnot
- காக்கின்kākkiṉif guards
- என்eṉwhat
- காவாக்கால்kāvākkālif not guarding
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two brothers, Arun and Bala. Arun, the elder, was known for his booming voice and quick temper. Bala, the younger, possessed a quiet strength. One day, a dispute arose at the village well. A frail old woman accidentally spilled Arun’s water. Arun, enraged, bellowed at her, his face red with fury. The woman trembled, apologizing profusely. Bala stepped forward, calmly refilling Arun's vessel and offering the woman water from his own. Later, the village headman, a stern but just man, accidentally offended Arun during a gathering. Arun, though visibly annoyed, swallowed his pride, offering a polite response. The villagers watched, surprised by his restraint. They understood Arun’s bluster with the old woman was not true strength. True strength, they realized, lay in choosing kindness even when it was difficult, and in recognizing the vulnerability of others.