Kural #534
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Tamil text
அச்சமுடையார்க்கு அரணில்லை
ஆங்கில்லை பொச்சாப் புடையார்க்கு நன்கு
Accamuṭaiyārkku araṇillai
Āṅkillai poccāp puṭaiyārkku naṉku
English translation
Just as the fearful have no fortress, the negligent have no prosperity.
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Explanation
Fear (அச்சம்) makes any fortress useless because the fearful person cannot defend it. Similarly, prosperity cannot stay with the negligent (பொச்சாப்பு உடையார்) because they cannot maintain it. Both internal states undermine external advantages.
விளக்கம்
அச்சம் உள்ளவருக்குக் கோட்டை இருந்தும் பயனில்லை. அதுபோல, மறதியாய் இருப்பவருக்குச் செல்வம் நிலைக்காது. விழிப்புடன் இருந்தால் மட்டுமே நன்மைகள் காக்க முடியும். பொச்சாவாமை அதிகாரத்தின்படி, எப்போதும் கவனமாக இருக்க வேண்டும்.
Word meanings
- அச்சம்accamfear
- உடையார்க்குuṭaiyārkkufor those who have
- அரண்araṇfortress
- இல்லைillaiis useless/none
- ஆங்குāṅkulikewise
- பொச்சாப்புpoccāppunegligence
- நன்குnaṉkuprosperity/good
Story behind this kural
The village of Eldoria was known for its abundant harvests. Farmer Giles, meticulous and ever-watchful, always inspected his fields, repairing any small breaches in the irrigation channels. His crops flourished. Across the valley, lived Farmer Silas, whose lands were equally fertile. Silas, however, was known for his relaxed nature. "A little neglect won't hurt," he'd often chuckle, dismissing small problems. One season, a tiny crack appeared in Silas's main irrigation canal. He noticed it, but postponed the repair. Soon, the crack widened, and water began to seep away. His crops withered. Meanwhile, Giles, vigilant as ever, swiftly mended a similar crack in his own canal. His fields yielded a bountiful harvest, overflowing his storehouses. As winter approached, Silas had barely enough to feed his family, while Giles had more than enough to share with the entire village.