Kural #558
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Tamil text
இன்மையின் இன்னாது உடைமை
முறைசெய்யா மன்னவன் கோற்கீழ்ப் படின்
Iṉmaiyiṉ iṉṉātu uṭaimai
Muṟaiceyyā maṉṉavaṉ kōṟkīḻp paṭiṉ
English translation
Under an unjust king, having wealth is more painful than having none.
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Explanation
Wealth becomes a curse under tyranny because it makes one a target for extortion and unjust seizure. Better to be poor and ignored than rich and persecuted. This profound insight shows how injustice inverts normal values.
விளக்கம்
முறை செய்யாத கொடுங்கோல் மன்னன் ஆட்சியிலே செல்வம் இருப்பது தரித்திரத்தை விடக் கொடுமையானது. செல்வம் இருந்தால், மன்னன் அதை அபகரிக்க நினைப்பான். ஏழையாக இருந்தால், யாரும் கவனிக்க மாட்டார்கள். நீதி தவறினால், செல்வம் துன்பம் தரும்.
Word meanings
- இன்மையின்iṉmaiyiṉthan poverty
- இன்னாதுiṉṉātumore painful
- உடைமைuṭaimaihaving wealth
- முறைmuṟaijustice
- செய்யாceyyādoes not do
- மன்னவன்maṉṉavaṉking
- கோல்kōlscepter/rule
- கீழ்kīḻunder
- படின்paṭiṉif one falls
Story behind this kural
In the village of Eldoria, lived two farmers. Thomas, a humble man, owned a small plot and barely enough to feed his family. Across the way, Marcus possessed rich fields and overflowing granaries, blessed by years of fruitful harvests. The new King, known for his greed, demanded heavy taxes. Thomas, with nothing to offer, was left in peace. But Marcus, with his abundance, became the King's constant target. Each week, the King’s men arrived, seizing his crops and livestock, leaving Marcus with less than Thomas. One harsh winter, both men faced starvation. Thomas, resourceful and unnoticed, bartered for scraps. Marcus, stripped of his wealth, could offer nothing. He watched his children suffer, his fortune having become a cruel burden. The King, indifferent to their plight, continued his relentless demands.