Kural #603
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
மடிமடிக் கொண்டொழுகும் பேதை பிறந்த
குடிமடியும் தன்னினும் முந்து
Maṭimaṭik koṇṭoḻukum pētai piṟanta
Kuṭimaṭiyum taṉṉiṉum muntu
English translation
The family of a fool who embraces laziness will perish even before he himself perishes.
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Explanation
The lazy fool (பேதை) harms not just himself but his entire family. His family's downfall (குடிமடியும்) happens even faster than his own. This is a stark warning: laziness has generational consequences. The word play continues - மடிமடி means "fold upon fold" or "extreme laziness," while குடிமடியும் uses மடி in the sense of "to perish."
விளக்கம்
சோம்பேறித்தனம் உள்ளவன் தன் குடும்பத்தையே அழிப்பான். "மடியின்மை" அதிகாரத்தில், சோம்பல் ஒருவனை மட்டுமின்றி அவன் சந்ததியையும் கெடுக்கும் என்கிறது குறள். அவன் அழிவதற்கு முன்பே அவன் குடும்பம் அழிந்துவிடும். சோம்பலை விட்டொழிப்பதே நல்லது.
Word meanings
- மடிமடிmaṭimaṭiextreme laziness
- கொண்டுkoṇṭuembracing/holding
- ஒழுகும்oḻukumconducting oneself
- பேதைpētaifool
- பிறந்தpiṟantaborn into
- குடிkuṭifamily
- மடியும்maṭiyumwill perish
- தன்னினும்taṉṉiṉumthan himself
- முந்துmuntubefore/earlier
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a fertile valley, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun, known for his tireless work ethic, rose with the sun, tilling his fields and ensuring a bountiful harvest. His family thrived, their home always filled with laughter and the aroma of delicious meals. Bala, however, was fond of his ease. He'd often linger in bed, leaving the fields unattended. His harvest dwindled year after year. Soon, his granary was empty, and his children went hungry. He borrowed from others, but his laziness prevented him from repaying his debts. As the seasons changed, Arun's fields overflowed, and his children were educated. Bala's farm lay barren, and his children, deprived of resources, dispersed to seek work elsewhere. Bala, left alone, watched his once-vibrant family fade away before his very eyes. The village whispered of his misfortune, a stark contrast to the thriving life of his neighbor.