Kural #480
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Tamil text
உளவரை தூக்காத ஒப்புர வாண்மை
வளவரை வல்லை கெடும்
Uḷavarai tūkkāta oppura vāṇmai
Vaḷavarai vallai keṭum
English translation
Hospitality that does not consider one's resources will quickly destroy one's wealth.
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Explanation
Generosity is a virtue, but generosity beyond one's means is folly. The desire to appear hospitable can bankrupt a family. True hospitality operates within sustainable limits.
விளக்கம்
உள்ளதை அறியாமல் விருந்தோம்பல் செய்தால் செல்வம் விரைவில் அழியும். அளவுக்கு மீறிய உபசரிப்பு அழிவைத் தரும். 'வலியறிதல்' அதிகாரத்தில், நம் சக்திக்கு ஏற்ப செலவு செய்வதே அறிவுடைமை.
Word meanings
- உளuḷaexisting
- வரைvarailimit
- தூக்காதtūkkātanot weighing
- ஒப்புரவாண்மைoppuravāṇmaihospitality
- வளவரைvaḷavaraiextent of wealth
- வல்லைvallaiquickly
- கெடும்keṭumwill destroy
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a baker named Arul. Arul was known for his warm heart and even warmer loaves of bread. Every day, he baked enough for his family and a few extra to share with the needy. One day, a wealthy merchant arrived, boasting of his riches. Arul, wanting to impress, began baking more and more, offering bread to everyone who passed, hoping to gain favor. He gave away his best loaves, even when his own children went hungry. Villagers enjoyed the generosity, but soon, Arul's grain stores emptied. He sold his tools, then his furniture. Within months, the baker’s once-prosperous home was bare. The merchant, having received his fill of bread, moved on to the next village. Arul and his family, now with nothing, learned a hard lesson by the empty hearth. The river continued to whisper its secrets, but the aroma of fresh bread was gone.