Kural #428
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Tamil text
அஞ்சுவ தஞ்சாமை பேதைமை
அஞ்சுவது அஞ்சல் அறிவார் தொழில்
Añcuva tañcāmai pētaimai
Añcuvatu añcal aṟivār toḻil
English translation
Not fearing what should be feared is foolishness; fearing what should be feared is the work of the wise.
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Explanation
Wisdom involves appropriate fear - respecting genuine dangers while not being paralyzed by imaginary ones. The fool fears nothing (and suffers consequences) or fears everything (and accomplishes nothing).
விளக்கம்
அஞ்ச வேண்டியதை அஞ்சாமல் இருப்பது முட்டாள்தனம். ஆபத்தை உணர்ந்து பயப்படுவதே அறிவுடைமை. இது அறிவுடைமை அதிகாரத்தில் முக்கியமானது. விவேகத்துடன் செயல்பட வேண்டும்.
Word meanings
- அஞ்சுவதுañcuvatuwhat should be feared
- அஞ்சாமைañcāmainot fearing
- பேதைமைpētaimaifoolishness
- அஞ்சல்añcalfearing
- அறிவார்aṟivārthe wise
- தொழில்toḻilwork/duty
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two brothers, Arun and Bala. Arun, the elder, was known for his courage, often boasting of his fearlessness. Bala, the younger, was cautious, always considering potential dangers. One day, a fierce storm threatened the village. Arun scoffed at the warnings of the elders, ignoring the darkening sky and the rising river. He declared he would venture into the forest to gather firewood, undeterred by the impending tempest. As the storm raged, Arun was caught in a flash flood. Bala, however, heeded the warnings. He secured his home and remained inside, listening to the howling wind. After the storm passed, he found Arun’s home destroyed and Arun missing. Bala organized a search party and eventually found his brother, who had been swept away by the flood. The villagers mourned the loss, recognizing that true strength lies not in the absence of fear, but in the wisdom to recognize and respect danger.