Kural #514
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Tamil text
எனைவகையான் தேறியக் கண்ணும்
வினைவகையான் வேறாகும் மாந்தர் பலர்
Eṉaivakaiyāṉ tēriyak kaṇṇum
Viṉaivakaiyāṉ vēṟākum māntar palar
English translation
Even when trusted after thorough examination, many people change their nature when given work.
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Explanation
A sobering observation: people may pass all tests yet behave differently when actually working. Power and responsibility can transform character. Continued vigilance is necessary even after initial trust.
விளக்கம்
எவ்வளவு ஆராய்ந்து நம்பினாலும், வேலை செய்யும்போது சிலர் மாறுவார்கள். "தெரிந்து வினையாடல்" அதிகாரத்தில், ஒருவரை வேலைக்கு எடுக்கும் முன் கவனமாக இருக்க வேண்டும் என்கிறது இது. பொறுப்பு வரும்போது, மனிதர் குணம் மாறலாம். எப்போதும் விழிப்பாக இருங்கள்.
Word meanings
- எனைeṉaiwhatever
- வகையான்vakaiyāṉin manner
- தேறியக்கண்ணும்tēriyakkaṇṇumeven after trusting
- வினைவகையான்viṉaivakaiyāṉin the manner of work
- வேறுvēṟudifferent
- ஆகும்ākumbecome
- மாந்தர்māntarpeople
- பலர்palarmany
Story behind this kural
The wise old King, after much deliberation, chose two men to guard his treasury. He tested them rigorously. One, named Arul, was known for his honesty. The other, Bala, possessed a sharp mind. Both passed every test with flying colors. For months, all was well. Arul and Bala worked diligently, the treasury safe and secure. But then, a drought struck the kingdom. The people suffered. Arul, seeing their plight, proposed using some treasury funds to buy food. The King agreed. Arul managed the distribution fairly. Bala, however, saw an opportunity. He began secretly diverting funds, amassing personal wealth under the guise of helping. He justified his actions, telling himself the King would never notice. Soon, Bala was living a life of luxury while the people still struggled. When the King discovered Bala's betrayal, he was saddened. He realized that a man's true nature is revealed not in tests, but in the trials of responsibility.