Kural #450
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Tamil text
பல்லார் பகைகொளலிற் பத்தடுத்த தீமைத்தே
நல்லார் தொடர்கை விடல்
Pallār pakaikoḷaliṟ pattaṭutta tīmaittē
Nallār toṭarkai viṭal
English translation
Abandoning the friendship of the good is ten times worse than making enemies of many.
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Explanation
This chapter's final kural delivers a powerful message: losing the alliance of good people is far more dangerous than creating numerous enemies. Good allies are protective shields; losing them is catastrophic.
விளக்கம்
பல பேருடன் பகை கொள்வதை விட, நல்லவர்களின் நட்பை விடுவது பத்து மடங்கு கெடுதல். பெரியோர்களின் துணையை நாடுவது நன்று. நல்ல நண்பர்கள் ஆபத்தில் காப்பார்கள்; அவர்களை இழப்பது பேரழிவைத் தரும்.
Word meanings
- பல்லார்pallārmany
- பகைpakaienmity
- கொளலின்koḷaliṉthan making
- பத்துpattuten
- அடுத்தaṭuttatimes
- தீமைத்தேtīmaittēevil/harm
- நல்லார்nallārgood people
- தொடர்கைtoṭarkaiconnection
- விடல்viṭalabandoning
Story behind this kural
In a humble village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a woodcutter named Arul. Known for his stubborn pride, Arul often quarreled with his neighbor, the wise old carpenter, Kumar. Kumar, patient and kind, always offered Arul advice, but Arul would dismiss it, boasting of his own strength. One harsh winter, a blizzard swept through the village, burying homes under snow. Arul, confident in his own abilities, refused Kumar's offer of shelter. He insisted on clearing his own path, but the snow piled higher and higher, trapping him. Meanwhile, Kumar, with the help of other villagers, including those Arul had once mocked, cleared a path to their homes. They shared food and warmth. Arul, alone and shivering, finally understood. He saw the warmth in Kumar's eyes as they brought him inside, offering him comfort. Arul realized his pride had isolated him, while the good people around him offered true safety.