Kural #464
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Tamil text
தெளிவி லதனைத் தொடங்கார்
இளிவென்னும் ஏதப்பாடு அஞ்சு பவர்
Teḷivi lataṉait toṭaṅkār
Iḷiveṉṉum ētappāṭu añcu pavar
English translation
Those who fear the disgrace of failure will not begin an undertaking without clear understanding.
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Explanation
People who value their reputation will thoroughly understand a venture before beginning it. Fear of disgrace is a healthy motivator that prevents reckless action. Clarity before commencement is essential.
விளக்கம்
தெளிவில்லாத செயலை அவமானம் வரும் என்று பயப்படுவோர் தொடங்க மாட்டார்கள். "தெரிந்து செயல்வகை" அதிகாரப்படி, நன்கு ஆராய்ந்த பின்பே ஒரு செயலைச் செய்ய வேண்டும். அவமான பயம் தவறான செயல்களைத் தவிர்க்க உதவும்.
Word meanings
- தெளிவுteḷivuclarity
- இலதனைilataṉaithat which lacks
- தொடங்கார்toṭaṅkārwill not begin
- இளிவுiḷivudisgrace
- என்னும்eṉṉumcalled
- ஏதப்பாடுētappāṭuharm/defect
- அஞ்சுபவர்añcupavarthose who fear
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two potters, Arun and Bala. Arun, eager for fortune, saw a merchant’s need for water jars and immediately began crafting them. He worked tirelessly, envisioning riches. Bala, however, spent weeks studying the river's clay, experimenting with firing temperatures, and calculating the exact dimensions the merchant needed. Arun's jars, though numerous, were poorly made. Many cracked, and the merchant refused them. Arun was left with a pile of useless pots and a tarnished reputation. Bala, on the other hand, presented the merchant with a small sample of his meticulously crafted jars. They were perfect. The merchant ordered a vast quantity, and Bala prospered, his name spoken with respect throughout the village. Arun watched Bala's success, realizing his haste had cost him dearly.