Kural #478
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Tamil text
ஆகாறு அளவிட்டி தாயினுங் கேடில்லை
போகாறு அகலாக் கடை
Ākāṟu aḷaviṭṭi tāyinuṅ kēṭillai
Pōkāṟu akalāk kaṭai
English translation
Even if income is small, there will be no ruin if expenditure does not exceed it.
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Explanation
Financial wisdom in one sentence. The key to prosperity is not high income but controlled expenditure. Living within one's means, however modest, prevents ruin. This timeless principle applies to individuals and nations alike.
விளக்கம்
குறைந்த வருமானம் இருந்தாலும், செலவு அதைவிட அதிகரிக்காமல் இருந்தால் அழிவு இல்லை. "வலியறிதல்" அதிகாரத்தில், தன் சக்தியை அறிந்து செயல்படுவதே சிறப்பு. சிக்கனம் காத்து வாழ்ந்தால் செல்வம் நிலைக்கும்.
Word meanings
- ஆகாறுākāṟuincome/source
- அளவுaḷavumeasure
- இட்டிதுiṭṭitusmall
- ஆயினும்āyiṉumeven if
- கேடுkēṭuruin
- இல்லைillaithere is not
- போகாறுpōkāṟuexpenditure
- அகலாakalānot exceeding
- கடைkaṭaiwhen
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun’s fields yielded a bountiful harvest, making him the wealthiest in the village. He built a grand house and hosted lavish feasts. Soon, his spending outstripped his income. When the rains failed one year, Arun faced ruin, forced to sell his land. Bala, however, had a smaller harvest. He lived simply, his small cottage filled with the aroma of home-cooked meals. Though his income was modest, he spent wisely, saving a portion of each harvest. When the drought arrived, Bala had enough grain stored to feed his family and even help his neighbors. His small plot of land remained fertile, and his family prospered. He understood that true wealth wasn't measured in outward displays but in the quiet strength of careful provision.