Kural #40
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Tamil text
செயற்பால தோரும் அறனே ஒருவற்கு
உயற்பால தோரும் பழி
Ceyaṟpāla tōrum aṟaṉē oruvaṟku
Uyaṟpāla tōrum paḻi
English translation
What one should do is virtue alone; what one should shun is blame.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar concludes this chapter with a clear directive: what a person should do (seyarpaala thorum) is virtue alone (arane). What one should avoid or shun (uyarpaala thorum) is blame or disgrace (pazhi). This kural summarizes the entire chapter: embrace virtue, reject what brings blame.
விளக்கம்
ஒருவர் செய்ய வேண்டியது அறமே. தவிர்க்க வேண்டியது பழியே. அறம் செய்வதால் நன்மை உண்டாகும். பழி பாவங்களை விலக்கி, நல்ல வாழ்க்கை வாழ வேண்டும்.
Word meanings
- செயற்பாலceyaṟpālawhat should be done
- தோரும்tōrumindeed/certainly
- அறனேaṟaṉēvirtue alone
- ஒருவற்குoruvaṟkufor a person
- உயற்பாலuyaṟpālawhat should be avoided
- பழிpaḻiblame/disgrace
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two young men, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his honesty, always returning lost coins and helping those in need. Bala, however, often took shortcuts, stretching the truth and avoiding hard work. One day, the village elder announced a contest: the first to build a sturdy bridge across the swiftly flowing river would be rewarded with the finest land. Arun, using strong, ethically sourced wood, worked diligently, his bridge slowly taking shape. Bala, eager to win, used weaker, stolen timber, hurrying to finish first. The villagers watched, and soon, Bala's bridge was complete. He crossed it proudly, but as others followed, it groaned and cracked. It collapsed with a loud crash, plunging those crossing into the water. Arun's bridge, however, stood firm. His ethical choices had created a structure that endured, bringing safety and respect to his name.