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Kural #302

Virtue· அறம்Restraining Anger· வெகுளாமை

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Tamil text

செல்லா இடத்துச் சினந்தீது

செல்இடத்தும் இல்அதனின் தீய பிற

Cellā iṭattuc ciṉantītu

Celliṭattum ilataṉiṉ tīya piṟa

English translation

Anger is evil when directed at those who cannot be harmed; even when effective, there is nothing worse than anger.

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Explanation

Thiruvalluvar declares anger harmful in all circumstances. Against the powerless, it is cruel injustice. Against those we can harm, it destroys relationships and creates enemies. Anger never leads to good outcomes.

விளக்கம்

கோபம் எடுபடாதவரிடம் காட்டுவது பாவம். பலிக்கும் இடத்தில் கோபம் காட்டுவது அதைவிடப் பாவம். வெகுளாமை அதிகாரத்தில், கோபம் எங்கும் தீமை தரும் என வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். கோபம் உறவை அழிக்கும்.

Word meanings

  • செல்லாcellānot effective/powerless
  • இடத்துiṭattuplace/situation
  • சினம்ciṉamanger
  • தீதுtītuevil/bad
  • செல்celeffective
  • இல்ilnot/without
  • அதனின்ataṉiṉthan that
  • தீயtīyaevil things
  • பிறpiṟaother

Story behind this kural

In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a potter named Arun. Arun was known for his beautiful clay pots, but he also had a fiery temper. One day, a young boy accidentally stumbled and broke one of Arun's finest creations. Arun, consumed by rage, yelled and chased the terrified boy through the village. Later that week, a wealthy merchant came to Arun's workshop, admiring his pots. However, the merchant, in a moment of frustration, criticized the price of Arun's pots. Immediately, Arun's face turned red. He insulted the merchant and ordered him to leave. As the days passed, Arun's workshop remained empty. The villagers, remembering his outburst at the boy, avoided him. The merchant, offended, took his business elsewhere. Arun, alone and filled with regret, realized his anger had brought him nothing but isolation and loss. He sat amongst his unsold pots, understanding the heavy price of a fleeting rage.