Kural #474
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Tamil text
அமைந்தாங்கு ஒழுகான் அளவறியான்
தன்னை வியந்தான் விரைந்து கெடும்
Amaintāṅku oḻukāṉ aḷavaṟiyāṉ
Taṉṉai viyantāṉ viraintu keṭum
English translation
He who does not act according to his means, who does not know his limits, and who admires himself will quickly perish.
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Explanation
Three fatal flaws are identified: living beyond one's means, ignorance of one's limitations, and self-admiration. Together, these guarantee rapid downfall. Humility and self-awareness are essential for survival.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 474: வசதிக்கு ஏத்த மாதிரி வாழாம, தன் பலம் அறியாம, தன்னைத்தானே பெருமையா நெனச்சா சீக்கிரம் அழிவான். வலிமை அறிதல் அதிகாரத்துல இது முக்கியம். அடக்கமும், சுய அறிவும்தான் வாழ்க்கைல முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- அமைந்தாங்குamaintāṅkuaccording to what is available
- ஒழுகான்oḻukāṉdoes not conduct
- அளவுaḷavumeasure/limit
- அறியான்aṟiyāṉdoes not know
- தன்னைtaṉṉaihimself
- வியந்தான்viyantāṉwho admires
- விரைந்துviraintuquickly
- கெடும்keṭumwill perish
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a lush forest, lived a woodcutter named Arul. Arul was strong and initially, his work was plentiful. He would chop trees and sell the wood in the market, earning a comfortable living. Soon, however, Arul began to boast. He started wearing finer clothes than the other villagers and built a larger house. One day, seeing a magnificent, ancient oak, Arul decided he would fell it. He imagined the fortune he would make. Ignoring the warnings of his aching muscles and the size of the task, Arul began to chop. Days turned into weeks, yet the oak remained stubbornly upright. He exhausted himself, neglecting his other work and spending all his savings on food. Finally, weakened and defeated, Arul collapsed. His grand house was empty, and his fine clothes were tattered. The villagers shook their heads, for Arul had forgotten the true measure of his strength.