Kural #441
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Tamil text
அறனறிந்து மூத்த அறிவுடையார் கேண்மை
திறனறிந்து தேர்ந்து கொளல்
Aṟaṉaṟintu mūtta aṟivuṭaiyār kēṇmai
Tiṟaṉaṟintu tērntu koḷal
English translation
Seek the friendship of the aged who know virtue and possess wisdom, understanding their abilities well.
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Explanation
Choose mentors carefully - they should be mature in wisdom, grounded in ethics, and their capabilities should be assessed before forming the relationship. Age here means wisdom, not just years.
விளக்கம்
அறம் உணர்ந்த, அனுபவம் மிக்க பெரியோரின் நட்பை, அவர்களின் திறமையை அறிந்து தேர்ந்தெடு. பெரியோரின் அறிவுரை நமக்கு நன்மை தரும். இது பெரியாரைத் துணைக்கோடல் அதிகாரத்தில் உள்ளது.
Word meanings
- அறன்aṟaṉvirtue/dharma
- அறிந்துaṟintuknowing
- மூத்தmūttaaged/mature
- அறிவுடையார்aṟivuṭaiyārthose with wisdom
- கேண்மைkēṇmaifriendship
- திறன்tiṟaṉability
- தேர்ந்துtērntuexamining
- கொளல்koḷaltake/accept
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest lived two young farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun, eager to expand his fields, sought advice from the boisterous merchant, a man known for shrewd deals. The merchant, promising quick riches, urged Arun to borrow heavily, planting unfamiliar crops. Bala, however, approached the village elder, a man whose wrinkles mirrored the wisdom of countless harvests. The elder, understanding the rhythms of the land, advised Bala to experiment cautiously, learning the soil's secrets before risking all. He suggested starting small, learning the techniques, and observing the seasons. Arun's venture quickly soured. The new crops failed, and debt consumed him. Bala, patient and guided, saw his crops flourish. Though his progress was slower, his success was lasting. Arun, humbled, eventually sought Bala's guidance, recognizing the true value of careful counsel.