Kural #430
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Tamil text
அறிவுடையார் எல்லா முடையார்
அறிவிலார் என்னுடைய ரேனும் இலர்
Aṟivuṭaiyār ellā muṭaiyār
Aṟivilār eṉṉuṭaiya rēṉum ilar
English translation
The wise possess everything; the unwise, whatever they possess, have nothing.
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Explanation
This powerful conclusion states that wisdom is the master key to all possessions. With wisdom, one can acquire anything; without it, even existing wealth is meaningless and will soon be lost.
விளக்கம்
அறிவுடையோர் எல்லாவற்றையும் பெற்றவர். அறிவில்லாதவர் எதை வைத்திருந்தாலும் இல்லாதவரே. அறிவுடைமை அதிகாரத்தில், அறிவே சிறந்த செல்வம் என்கிறது குறள். இதனால், அறிவைப் பெறுவதே முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- அறிவுடையார்aṟivuṭaiyārthose with wisdom
- எல்லாம்ellāmeverything
- உடையார்uṭaiyārpossess
- அறிவிலார்aṟivilārthe unwise
- என்னeṉṉawhatever
- உடையரேனும்uṭaiyarēṉumeven if they possess
- இலர்ilarhave nothing
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two merchants, Alagan and Kumar. Alagan, though wealthy, hoarded his gold, fearing loss. He built high walls around his storehouses and employed many guards. Kumar, however, though starting with less, possessed a keen mind and an open heart. He studied the market, understanding the needs of the villagers. He invested wisely, sharing his profits and helping those in need. When a drought struck, Alagan’s stores overflowed with unused grain, while the villagers struggled. Kumar, using his knowledge, found a distant source of water and, with the help of the villagers, brought it to their fields. Alagan’s wealth remained untouched, unused, and ultimately, worthless. Kumar's understanding brought prosperity to the village, and in turn, more wealth than Alagan ever knew. The villagers, now thriving, chose to trade and invest with Kumar, recognizing the true value of his wisdom.