Kural #466
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Tamil text
செய்தக்க அல்ல செய்கெட்டார்
செய்தக்க செய்யாமை யானுங் கெடும்
Ceytakka alla ceykettār
Ceytakka ceyyāmai yāṉuṅ keṭum
English translation
Those who do what should not be done will perish; so too will those who fail to do what should be done.
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Explanation
Destruction comes from two sources: doing the wrong things AND failing to do the right things. Sins of commission and omission are equally destructive. Wisdom requires both avoiding wrong action and taking right action.
விளக்கம்
செய்யக்கூடாததைச் செய்தால் அழிவு வரும். செய்ய வேண்டியதைச் செய்யாமல் விட்டாலும் அழிவு வரும். தெரிந்து செயல்வகை அதிகாரத்தில், எதைச் செய்யணும், எதை விடணும்னு யோசிச்சு செய்யணும். நல்லதைச் செய்து, கெட்டதைத் தவிர்த்தால் வாழ்க்கை சிறக்கும்.
Word meanings
- செய்தக்கceytakkawhat should be done
- அல்லallanot/wrong
- செய்துceytuhaving done
- கெட்டார்keṭṭārthose who perished
- செய்யாமைceyyāmainot doing
- யானும்yāṉumalso
- கெடும்keṭumwill perish
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a lush forest lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun, known for his impulsive nature, saw a chance to make quick riches. Ignoring warnings about the forest’s protected status, he felled ancient trees to sell the timber. His wealth grew rapidly, but soon the forest dried up, the river vanished, and the villagers could no longer farm. Arun’s riches meant nothing as the village starved. Bala, on the other hand, was cautious. He knew the importance of planting new saplings each season but delayed, always promising to do it "tomorrow". Years passed. The old trees died, and no new ones took root. The land eroded, and the village suffered. Bala, though he meant well, watched helplessly as the village slowly crumbled. Both Arun and Bala, through different paths, brought ruin upon their village.