Kural #488
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
செறுநரைக் காணின் சுமக்க
இறுவரை காணின் கிழக்காம் தலை
Ceṟunaraik kāṇiṉ cumakka
Iṟuvarai kāṇiṉ kiḻakkām talai
English translation
When you see your enemy, bear with them; when you see the time of their end, their head will bow.
Listen
Explanation
Patience with adversaries pays off. Endure their presence when they are strong, but when their time of decline comes, they will inevitably fall. The wise wait for circumstances to shift in their favor.
விளக்கம்
பகைவரைச் சந்தித்தால் பொறுமையாய் இரு. அவர்களின் வீழ்ச்சி வரும் நேரம் பார்த்துத் தாக்கு. காலம் வரும் வரை காத்திருந்தால், எதிரியின் தலை குனியும். இது காலமறிதல் அதிகாரத்தின் முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- செறுநரைceṟunaraienemies
- காணின்kāṇiṉif you see
- சுமக்கcumakkabear/endure
- இறுவரைiṟuvaraitime of end
- கிழக்குkiḻakkubowing down
- ஆம்āmwill be
- தலைtalaihead
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a vast forest, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his quick temper, while Bala possessed a calm and patient nature. Their fields bordered each other, and a dispute over a shared irrigation ditch often led to Arun's harsh words and actions against Bala. Arun, fueled by his anger, would frequently divert water from Bala's crops, causing them to wither. Bala, though wronged, never retaliated. He simply rebuilt the ditch each time, tending his fields with quiet diligence. The villagers whispered that Bala was foolish, weak. Years passed. A harsh drought struck the land. Arun’s fields, once lush, became barren due to his reckless water management. His arrogance led to further problems when he offended the village elders. Meanwhile, Bala, who had carefully conserved water and maintained good relations, saw his crops flourish. When Arun sought help, Bala, without hesitation, offered it, his generosity as abundant as the water in his well-tended fields.