Kural #451
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Tamil text
சிற்றினம் அஞ்சும் பெருமை
சிறுமைதான் சுற்றமாச் சூழ்ந்து விடும்
Ciṟṟiṉam añcum perumai
Ciṟumaitāṉ cuṟṟamāc cūḻntu viṭum
English translation
Greatness fears the company of the mean; but meanness will surround itself with such companions.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar opens this chapter with a fundamental distinction. Great people naturally avoid association with mean-minded individuals, understanding the corrupting influence such company has. Conversely, those of base character actively seek out similar companions, creating a cycle of moral degradation.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 451: கீழ் மக்களோட நட்பு பெருமைக்குத் தீமை. சிறுமையான குணம் உள்ளவங்க அவங்களோடே சேருவாங்க. நல்லவங்க கூட சேரனும், கெட்டவங்க கூட சேரக்கூடாது என்பதே நீதி.
Word meanings
- சிற்றினம்ciṟṟiṉammean company/base people
- அஞ்சும்añcumfears
- பெருமைperumaigreatness
- சிறுமைciṟumaimeanness/baseness
- தான்tāṉitself
- சுற்றம்cuṟṟamrelatives/companions
- ஆāas
- சூழ்ந்துcūḻntusurrounding
- விடும்viṭumwill become
Story behind this kural
In a sun-drenched village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two merchants: Arun, known for his generosity, and Varun, whose heart was as shriveled as a winter apple. Arun built his business slowly, choosing honest partners and valuing the trust of his customers. He’d often decline invitations to dine with those known for deceit, preferring the company of the village potter and the wise old weaver. Varun, on the other hand, craved quick riches. He surrounded himself with gossiping traders and unscrupulous money lenders. Their schemes grew bolder, filled with whispers of shortcuts and hidden profits. Slowly, Arun’s business flourished, his name synonymous with integrity. Meanwhile, Varun's dealings began to unravel, each new deceit pulling him further into a web of mistrust and ruin, alone among the very people he sought to befriend. The village whispered of his downfall, a cautionary tale of the company one keeps.