Kural #31
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Tamil text
சிறப்பீனும் செல்வமும் ஈனும் அறத்தினூஉங்கு
ஆக்கம் எவனோ உயிர்க்கு
Ciṟappīṉum celvamum īṉum aṟattiṉūuṅku
Ākkam evaṉō uyirkku
English translation
Virtue bestows both fame and wealth; what greater gain can life possess?
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar declares that virtue (aram) grants both distinction (sirappu) and material prosperity (selvam). He asks rhetorically: what greater benefit or profit (akkam) could there be for a living soul than the practice of virtue? This kural establishes that righteousness is the supreme path to both worldly success and spiritual honor.
விளக்கம்
அறம் புகழையும், செல்வத்தையும் தரும். அறத்தை விட சிறந்த நன்மை உயிருக்கு வேறென்ன இருக்க முடியும்? அறன்வலியுறுத்தல் அதிகாரத்தில், அறமே வாழ்வின் உயர்ந்த வழி என்று வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார்.
Word meanings
- சிறப்புciṟappudistinction/fame
- ஈனும்īṉumbestows/grants
- செல்வமும்celvamumwealth also
- அறத்தினூஉங்குaṟattiṉūuṅkuthan virtue
- ஆக்கம்ākkamgain/profit
- எவனோevaṉōwhat (rhetorical)
- உயிர்க்குuyirkkufor life/soul
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his sharp dealings; he’d haggle fiercely and take advantage when he could. Bala, however, was known for his honesty. He always paid a fair price and helped his neighbors, even when it meant a personal sacrifice. One year, the rains failed. Arun, hoarding his grain, watched the villagers struggle. He grew wealthy selling at inflated prices, but the villagers whispered behind his back. Soon, his fields yielded less, and his house felt empty. Bala, sharing his small harvest, also helped the village rebuild its irrigation. The next year, the rains returned abundantly. Bala’s fields overflowed, and the villagers, remembering his kindness, offered him their best help. His harvest was the largest, and his heart was full. The village celebrated Bala, while Arun, alone in his riches, felt a deep sense of loss.