Kural #507
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Tamil text
காதன்மை கந்தா அறிவறியார்த்
தேறுதல் பேதைமை எல்லாந் தரும்
Kātaṉmai kantā aṟivaṟiyārt
Tēṟutal pētaimai ellān tarum
English translation
Trusting the ignorant merely out of affection will bring all kinds of foolishness.
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Explanation
Love (காதன்மை) should not blind judgment. Placing trust in incompetent people simply because you like them leads to disaster. Affection must be separated from assessment of capability. This is a warning against nepotism and favoritism.
விளக்கம்
அன்பு மட்டுமே காரணமாக அறிவில்லாதவரை நம்புவது முட்டாள்தனம். இது எல்லாத் தவறுகளையும் உண்டாக்கும். திறமையை ஆராய்ந்தே நம்பவேண்டும். "தெரிந்து தெளிதல்" அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- காதன்மைkātaṉmaiaffection/love
- கந்தாkantāas the basis
- அறிவுaṟivuknowledge
- அறியார்aṟiyārthose who know not
- தேறுதல்tēṟutaltrusting
- பேதைமைpētaimaifoolishness
- எல்லாம்ellāmall
- தரும்tarumwill give/bring
Story behind this kural
In a humble village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a baker named Thulasi. He was known for his kind heart and the delicious sweetness of his jaggery cakes. When the village elder, a wise woman named Amara, needed a new assistant, Thulasi’s heart overflowed with affection for his clumsy but lovable nephew, Ravi. Despite Ravi's inexperience and habit of burning the bread, Thulasi, blinded by fondness, appointed him. Soon, the bakery’s reputation began to crumble. Burnt loaves and undercooked pastries became the norm. Customers, once eager, now sought their bread elsewhere. The village slowly lost its source of joy. One day, a traveling merchant, known for his discerning taste, sampled Ravi’s work and shook his head, lamenting the decline. Amara, witnessing the damage, gently reminded Thulasi of the importance of clear judgment, even when love is involved. The bakery eventually closed.