Kural #463
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Tamil text
ஆக்கங் கருதி முதலிழக்கும்
செய்வினை ஊக்கார் அறிவுடை யார்
Ākkaṅ karuti mutaliḻakkum
Ceyviṉai ūkkār aṟivuṭai yār
English translation
The wise do not engage in ventures that seek profit but risk losing the principal.
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Explanation
Greed for quick gains often leads people to gamble away their capital. Wise people avoid ventures where the potential profit is outweighed by the risk of losing what they already have. This is sound investment wisdom.
விளக்கம்
லாபம் பெற ஆசைப்பட்டு, உள்ள முதலையும் இழக்கும் செயல்களை அறிவுள்ளோர் செய்ய மாட்டார்கள். "தெரிந்து செயல்வகை" அதிகாரப்படி, நன்கு யோசித்து, இருக்கும் செல்வத்தை இழக்காமல் காப்பதே புத்திசாலித்தனம். பேராசை பெரும் நஷ்டத்தை தரும்.
Word meanings
- ஆக்கம்ākkamgain/profit
- கருதிkarutiseeking/desiring
- முதல்mutalcapital/principal
- இழக்கும்iḻakkumlosing
- செய்வினைceyviṉaiaction/venture
- ஊக்கார்ūkkārwill not engage
- அறிவுடையார்aṟivuṭaiyārthe wise
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a bustling river, lived two merchants, Ravi and Bala. Ravi, eager for riches, heard tales of a faraway land where spices fetched fortunes. He gathered all his savings, loaded a boat, and set sail, dreaming of immense profit. Bala, cautious and content, observed Ravi's excitement. He knew a local farmer selling rare herbs. The profit was modest, but the risk was minimal. Bala invested, slowly building his wealth. Months later, Ravi returned, his boat empty. A storm had wrecked his vessel, leaving him with nothing. Meanwhile, Bala's herb business thrived. He steadily expanded, providing for his family and the village. He became known for his prudence and wisdom, always valuing stability over reckless ambition. The river flowed on, carrying lessons of fortune and fate.