Kural #502
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Tamil text
குடிப்பிறந்து குற்றத்தின் நீங்கி
வடுப்பரியும் நாணுடையான் சுட்டே தெளிவு
Kuṭippiṟantu kuṟṟattiṉ nīṅki
Vaṭuppariyum nāṇuṭaiyāṉ cuṭṭē teḷivu
English translation
True confidence should be placed in one who is of good lineage, free from faults, and possesses the modesty that dreads disgrace.
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Explanation
Three qualities mark a trustworthy person: noble birth (குடிப்பிறந்து), freedom from defects (குற்றத்தின் நீங்கி), and a sense of shame that fears dishonor (வடுப்பரியும் நாண்). Such a person values reputation and will not betray trust.
விளக்கம்
நல்ல குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்து, தவறுகள் செய்யாமல், அவமானம் கண்டு நாணும் ஒருவரையே நம்ப வேண்டும். அவர் குடிப்பெருமை காத்து, நம் நம்பிக்கையை காப்பாற்றுவார். இது 'தெரிந்து தெளிதல்' அதிகாரத்தில் முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- குடிkuṭilineage/family
- பிறந்துpiṟantuborn
- குற்றத்தின்kuṟṟattiṉfrom faults
- நீங்கிnīṅkifreed/removed
- வடுvaṭudisgrace/blemish
- பரியும்pariyumfearing
- நாண்nāṇmodesty/shame
- உடையான்uṭaiyāṉone who possesses
- சுட்டேcuṭṭēpointing to/indicating
- தெளிவுteḷivuclarity/confidence
Story behind this kural
The village of Eldoria needed a new merchant. Old Man Hemlock, known for his shrewd deals, had passed, leaving a void. The villagers considered two candidates: Silas, a merchant's son, and Bram, a newcomer with a charming smile. Silas, though born to wealth, often took advantage, overcharging for goods. He lacked care for his family's reputation. Bram, on the other hand, was always honest, even if it meant smaller profits. He was mindful of his actions, never wanting to bring shame upon himself or others. The villagers, needing someone to handle the harvest's sale, debated. Some favored Silas, citing his experience. Others leaned towards Bram, valuing his integrity. The wise elder, Elara, listened patiently. She remembered a saying: "A tarnished name is a burden." The villagers chose Bram. He managed the harvest fairly, and the village prospered. Silas, despite his experience, lost customers due to his poor reputation.