Kural #408
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Tamil text
நல்லார்கண் பட்ட வறுமையின் இன்னாதே
கல்லார்கண் பட்ட திரு
Nallārkaṇ paṭṭa vaṟumaiyiṉ iṉṉātē
Kallārkaṇ paṭṭa tiru
English translation
Worse than poverty that befalls the good is the wealth that comes to the unlearned.
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Explanation
Poverty in a wise person's hands is better than wealth in a fool's hands. The learned poor will use even little wisely, while the ignorant rich will squander everything and cause harm.
விளக்கம்
நல்லவர் வறுமை அடைவது துன்பம். ஆனால், கல்வி இல்லாதவர் செல்வம் பெறுவது அதைவிடக் கொடுமை. கல்லாதவர் செல்வத்தை வீணடித்துத் தீங்கு செய்வர். கல்வி அறிவே சிறந்த செல்வம்.
Word meanings
- நல்லார்nallārgood/learned people
- கண்kaṇupon
- பட்டpaṭṭathat befell
- வறுமையின்vaṟumaiyiṉthan poverty
- இன்னாதேiṉṉātēmore painful/worse
- கல்லார்kallārthe unlearned
- திருtiruwealth/prosperity
Story behind this kural
In a humble village nestled beside a shimmering river lived two men: Kumar, a scholar known for his wisdom, and Raja, a merchant who had recently become wealthy. Kumar lived a simple life, his home modest, but his heart full of contentment. Raja, on the other hand, built a grand mansion, adorned with gold and jewels. One year, a terrible drought struck the village. Kumar, though poor, rationed his meager supplies, sharing what little he had with those in true need. He taught the children how to find edible plants and conserve water. Raja, however, panicked. He hoarded his wealth, refusing to share, and even raised the prices of the remaining food, causing suffering among the villagers. When the rains finally returned, Kumar's spirit remained unbroken, and the villagers remembered his kindness. Raja, despite his wealth, found himself isolated, his fortune unable to buy him the respect and friendship that Kumar possessed. The grand mansion felt empty, while Kumar's small home overflowed with warmth.