Kural #422
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Tamil text
சென்ற இடத்தால் செலவிடா தீதொரீஇ
நன்றின்பால் உய்ப்ப தறிவு
Ceṉṟa iṭattāl celaviṭā tītorīi
Naṉṟiṉpāl uyppa taṟivu
English translation
Wisdom is that which, avoiding evil wherever it goes, directs one towards good.
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Explanation
True wisdom is like a skilled navigator - it steers us away from danger and towards beneficial destinations. It constantly evaluates situations and guides us on the right path.
விளக்கம்
அறிவு என்பது நாம் போகும் வழியில் கெடுதல் வந்தால் விலக்கி, நன்மை தரும் வழியில் நம்மை செலுத்துவது. அறிவுடைமை அதிகாரத்தில், தீமையை விலக்கி நன்மையை நாடுதலே சிறந்த அறிவு என வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார்.
Word meanings
- சென்றceṉṟagoing
- இடத்தால்iṭattālby the place
- செலவிடாதுcelaviṭātunot allowing to go
- தீதுtītuevil
- ஒரீஇorīiavoiding
- நன்றின்பால்naṉṟiṉpāltowards good
- உய்ப்பதுuyppatudirecting/leading
- அறிவுaṟivuwisdom
Story behind this kural
The young shepherd, Elara, found a glistening stone by the river. It was beautiful, promising riches. The village elder, a wise woman named Anya, noticed Elara’s excitement. "Be careful, child," she cautioned. "Some treasures bring shadows." Elara, ignoring Anya, traded the stone for a fine cloak. Soon, envy brewed among the villagers. They began to quarrel, each wanting something from Elara. The cloak brought not comfort, but division. Then, Elara was offered a position in the King's court. But the offer came with a hidden task: to falsely accuse a loyal servant. Remembering Anya's words, Elara hesitated. She saw the deception, the suffering it would cause. Refusing the position, she returned to her sheep, the cloak discarded. Later, a merchant, impressed by her integrity, offered Elara a small plot of land. It was not as glamorous as the court, but it promised peace and honest labor. And so, Elara, guided by her inner compass, found true wealth.