Kural #553
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Tamil text
நாடொறும் நாடி முறைசெய்யா மன்னவன்
நாடொறும் நாடு கெடும்
Nāṭoṟum nāṭi muṟaiceyyā maṉṉavaṉ
Nāṭoṟum nāṭu keṭum
English translation
The kingdom of a king who does not daily investigate and dispense justice will daily decline.
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Explanation
The repetition of நாடொறும் (daily) emphasizes the continuous nature of both duty and consequence. A ruler who neglects daily justice will see daily deterioration of his kingdom. Justice delayed is justice denied.
விளக்கம்
நாடொறும் நீதி விசாரிக்காத அரசன் நாட்டை, கொடுங்கோன்மை அழிக்கும். தினமும் தவறாமல் நியாயம் வழங்காவிட்டால், நாடு கொஞ்சம் கொஞ்சமாக கெட்டுவிடும். நீதி தவறினால் நாடு தாழும்படி நேரிடும்.
Word meanings
- நாள்தோறும்nāḷtōṟumevery day/daily
- நாடிnāṭiinvestigating/examining
- முறைmuṟaijustice/proper order
- செய்யாceyyādoes not do
- மன்னவன்maṉṉavaṉking
- நாடுnāṭukingdom/country
- கெடும்keṭumwill be ruined
Story behind this kural
In the village of Eldoria, King Alaric was known for his feasts and grand processions. He loved to hear the court musicians play and to watch the acrobats tumble. But the villagers often waited weeks, even months, for their petitions to be heard. A farmer, whose well had been poisoned, pleaded for help, but his request gathered dust. A merchant, robbed of his wares, was ignored as the King planned a lavish celebration. Slowly, the once-fertile fields yielded less, and the market stalls stood empty. One day, the King summoned his advisors, bewildered. "Why is Eldoria losing its luster? The coffers are dwindling, and the people seem unhappy." An old woman, known for her wisdom, stepped forward. "Your Majesty," she said, "a garden neglected will wither. The roots of a kingdom are watered by justice, not by feasts." The King frowned, but as he looked around at the desolate village, he understood.