Kural #453
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Tamil text
மனத்தானாம் மாந்தர்க் குணர்ச்சி
இனத்தானாம் இன்னான் எனப்படும் சொல்
Maṉattāṉām māntark kuṇarcci
Iṉattāṉām iṉṉāṉ eṉappaṭum col
English translation
A person's thoughts come from their own mind, but the words spoken about them come from the company they keep.
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Explanation
While our inner thoughts are our own, our reputation in society is determined by those we associate with. People are judged by their friends. "Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are" - this ancient wisdom is captured beautifully here.
விளக்கம்
மனதில் எண்ணங்கள் தோன்றும்; ஆனால், ஒருவரைப் பற்றி உலகம் பேசும் சொல் அவர் சேரும் நண்பர்களைப் பொறுத்தது. சிற்றினம் சேராமை அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம். நல்ல நண்பர்களே நல்ல பெயரைத் தருவர்.
Word meanings
- மனத்தான்maṉattāṉfrom the mind
- ஆம்āmcomes/is
- மாந்தர்க்குmāntarkkufor people
- உணர்ச்சிuṇarccithoughts/feelings
- இனத்தான்iṉattāṉfrom companions
- இன்னான்iṉṉāṉsuch a person
- எனப்படும்eṉappaṭumis said/called
- சொல்colword/speech
Story behind this kural
In a quiet village nestled beside a shimmering river, lived a young potter named Arun. Arun possessed a kind heart and a skilled hand, crafting beautiful vessels. Yet, he spent his days with a group of gossiping villagers, known for their idle talk and harsh judgments. One day, a wealthy merchant arrived, seeking the finest pottery. He admired Arun's work, but the merchant also overheard the villagers’ cruel whispers about Arun's supposed laziness and lack of ambition. Hesitantly, the merchant moved on, purchasing his wares from a less talented potter, one who associated with a more industrious group. Arun, confused and hurt, asked the merchant later why he'd chosen another. The merchant replied, "Your hands create beauty, but your companions speak a different story. Their words cast a shadow on your light." Arun finally understood, the company he kept was shaping his reputation, regardless of his true nature.