Kural #435
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
வருமுன்னர்க் காவாதான் வாழ்க்கை
எரிமுன்னர் வைத்தூறு போலக் கெடும்
Varumuṉṉark kāvātāṉ vāḻkkai
Erimuṉṉar vaittūṟu pōlak keṭum
English translation
The life of one who does not guard before faults come will perish like straw placed before fire.
Listen
Explanation
Prevention requires foresight. Those who wait until problems arrive before addressing them will be destroyed instantly, like dry straw catching fire.
விளக்கம்
குற்றம் வருவதற்கு முன்பே காக்க வேண்டும். இல்லையென்றால், நெருப்பில் பட்ட வைக்கோல் போல் வாழ்க்கை அழிந்துவிடும். "குற்றங்கடிதல்" அதிகாரத்தில், தவறுகளை முன்கூட்டியே தடுப்பதே அறிவுடைமை என்கிறது குறள்.
Word meanings
- வரும்varumcoming
- முன்னர்muṉṉarbefore
- காவாதான்kāvātāṉone who does not guard
- வாழ்க்கைvāḻkkailife
- எரிerifire
- முன்னர்muṉṉarbefore
- வைத்தூறுvaittūṟuplaced straw
- போலpōlalike
- கெடும்keṭumwill perish
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a lush forest lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his careful planning. Before the monsoon season, he’d reinforce his hut and store ample grain. Bala, however, was carefree. He’d spend his days enjoying the sunshine, leaving repairs and storage until the last minute. One year, the rains arrived with unusual fury. Arun's house, though battered, held strong, and his storehouse remained full. He shared his surplus with his neighbors. Bala's hut, however, collapsed, and his meager harvest was swept away in the flood. He was left with nothing. Later, as the sun emerged, Arun found Bala, soaked and dejected, sifting through the mud. Arun offered him food and shelter, but Bala just shook his head, staring at the empty field where his crops once stood. He had learned a hard lesson.