Kural #415
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Tamil text
இழுக்கல் உடையுழி ஊற்றுக்கோல் அற்றே
ஒழுக்க முடையார்வாய்ச் சொல்
Iḻukkal uṭaiyuḻi ūṟṟukkōl aṟṟē
Oḻukka muṭaiyārvāyc col
English translation
The words from the mouth of the virtuous are like a staff on slippery ground.
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Explanation
When we walk on slippery terrain, a walking stick prevents falls. Similarly, the advice from moral people prevents us from slipping on the path of life. Their words stabilize us.
விளக்கம்
ஒழுக்கம் மிக்கவர் சொல் வழுக்கும் பாதையில் ஊன்றுகோல் போல உதவும். கேள்வி அதிகாரத்தில், நல்லோர் வார்த்தை கேட்டு நடப்பது நன்மை தரும். அவர்கள் அறிவுரை வாழ்க்கையில் தடுமாறாமல் காக்கும்.
Word meanings
- இழுக்கல்iḻukkalslipping
- உடையுழிuṭaiyuḻiin places that have
- ஊற்றுக்கோல்ūṟṟukkōlwalking staff
- அற்றேaṟṟēis like
- ஒழுக்கம்oḻukkamvirtue/morality
- உடையார்uṭaiyārthose who have
- வாய்vāymouth
- சொல்colwords
Story behind this kural
The villagers of Oakhaven prepared for the annual festival. Young Elara, eager to prove herself, decided to cross the treacherous Whispering Falls for the first time. The path was known to be slick with moss. Old Man Hemlock, respected for his wisdom, saw Elara preparing to leave. "Be cautious, child," he warned. "The path is deceitful." Ignoring him, Elara scoffed. "I am strong! I need no warnings!" She strode confidently towards the falls. Halfway across, her foot slipped. She flailed, panic rising. Just as she was about to fall, she remembered Hemlock’s words. She carefully shifted her weight, finding a small root for support, and slowly regained her balance. Shaken, she returned to the village, where Hemlock simply nodded. "Sometimes," he said gently, "the wisest advice is heeded when the path is most uncertain."