Kural #454
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Tamil text
மனத்து ளதுபோலக் காட்டி
ஒருவற்கு இனத்துளது ஆகும் அறிவு
Maṉattu ḷatupōlak kāṭṭi
Oruvaṟku iṉattuḷatu ākum aṟivu
English translation
Though wisdom may seem to reside in one's mind, in reality it reflects the quality of one's companions.
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Explanation
This kural deepens the previous thought. We may think our intelligence is purely our own, but it is largely shaped by our social circle. The collective wisdom (or ignorance) of our companions influences our own thinking more than we realize.
விளக்கம்
மனதில் அறிவு இருப்பதாகத் தோன்றினாலும், அது உண்மையில் நாம் பழகும் நண்பர்களின் குணத்தையே பிரதிபலிக்கும். சிற்றினம் சேராமை அதிகாரத்தின்படி, நல்ல நண்பர்களுடன் இருந்தால் நல்லறிவு வளரும். எனவே, நல்ல நண்பர்களைத் தேர்ந்தெடுப்பது முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- மனத்துள்maṉattuḷwithin the mind
- அதுatuthat
- போலpōlalike/seeming
- காட்டிkāṭṭishowing
- ஒருவற்குoruvaṟkufor a person
- இனத்துள்iṉattuḷwithin the company
- அதுatuthat
- ஆகும்ākumbecomes
- அறிவுaṟivuwisdom
Story behind this kural
In a quiet village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a young farmer named Arul. Arul was known for his quick wit and sharp mind. He could solve complex problems and devise clever plans. However, Arul’s closest companions were a group of gossiping idlers, always sharing stories of laziness and shortcuts. One day, the village elder announced a contest: the farmer who produced the most bountiful harvest would win the Golden Sickle. Arul, confident in his abilities, began to plan. Yet, his friends constantly discouraged him, whispering tales of easier paths and secret deals. They mocked his hard work, urging him to take rests and follow their unproductive habits. As the harvest season neared, Arul’s fields remained barren, while others thrived. He had spent his time listening to the whispers of his friends, and the season's bounty proved a reflection of their influence. Arul understood then that his wisdom had been diluted by the company he kept.