Kural #604
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
குடிமடிந்து குற்றம் பெருகும்
மடிமடிந்து மாண்ட உஞற்றி லவர்க்கு
Kuṭimaṭintu kuṟṟam perukum
Maṭimaṭintu māṇṭa uñaṟṟi lavarkku
English translation
For those who give themselves up to laziness and lack noble effort, their family will decline and faults will multiply.
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Explanation
Two consequences await the lazy person: family decline (குடிமடிந்து) and multiplication of faults (குற்றம் பெருகும்). The phrase மாண்ட உஞற்று refers to excellent effort or noble exertion. Without this, one becomes vulnerable to all manner of failings. Laziness is thus shown as the root of many other problems.
விளக்கம்
மடியின்மை அதிகாரத்தில், சோம்பேறித்தனம் குடும்பத்தை அழித்து, தவறுகளை அதிகரிக்கும் என்கிறது குறள். முயற்சி செய்யாதவர் குடும்பம் தாழ்ந்து, குறைகள் பல்கிப் பெருகும். சோம்பல் கெட்ட பழக்கம்; உழைப்பே உயர்வு தரும்.
Word meanings
- குடிkuṭifamily
- மடிந்துmaṭintudeclining/perishing
- குற்றம்kuṟṟamfaults/defects
- பெருகும்perukumwill multiply
- மடிமடிந்துmaṭimaṭintusinking into laziness
- மாண்டmāṇṭanoble/excellent
- உஞற்றுuñaṟṟueffort/exertion
- இலவர்க்குilavarkkufor those without
Story behind this kural
In a sun-drenched village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun, with a hearty laugh and a quick step, rose with the sun. He toiled tirelessly, his fields yielding bountiful harvests. His family thrived, their home filled with the aroma of delicious meals and the sound of joyful chatter. Bala, however, preferred the comfort of his bed. He’d grumble about the heat and the hard work, postponing tasks until tomorrow. His fields remained neglected, weeds choking the young crops. Soon, his family’s meals became sparse, their laughter replaced by hushed whispers of worry. Debts mounted, and the village began to whisper of Bala's misfortune. One day, Arun, seeing Bala's empty granary, offered a helping hand. Bala, ashamed, turned away. He continued in his ways, and his family suffered.