Skip to main content

Not available in the United States yet. Join the waitlist

Kural #628

Wealth· பொருள்Not Despairing in Adversity· இடுக்கண் அழியாமை

Last reviewed:

Tamil text

இன்பம் விழையான் இடும்பை இயல்பென்பான்

துன்பம் உறுதல் இலன்

Iṉpam viḻaiyāṉ iṭumpai iyalpeṉpāṉ

Tuṉpam uṟutal ilaṉ

English translation

One who does not crave pleasure and accepts hardship as natural will never experience sorrow.

Listen

Explanation

The secret to freedom from sorrow: don't crave pleasure (இன்பம் விழையான்) and accept hardship as natural (இடும்பை இயல்பென்பான்). When you expect difficulty as part of life, it cannot disappoint or devastate you. This Stoic-like wisdom teaches that our attitude toward events matters more than the events themselves.

விளக்கம்

குறள் 628: இக்குறள் துன்பம் வராமல் இருக்க ஒரு வழியைக் கூறுகிறது. சந்தோஷத்தை மட்டுமே விரும்பாமல், கஷ்டம் வாழ்க்கையில் சகஜம் என்று நினைத்தால், துக்கம் நம்மை அணுகாது. இது "இடுக்கண் அழியாமை" அதிகாரத்தின் கருத்து.

Word meanings

  • இன்பம்iṉpampleasure
  • விழையான்viḻaiyāṉone who does not desire
  • இடும்பைiṭumpaihardship
  • இயல்புiyalpunatural
  • என்பான்eṉpāṉone who says/believes
  • துன்பம்tuṉpamsorrow
  • உறுதல்uṟutalexperiencing
  • இலன்ilaṉwill not have

Story behind this kural

In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun always dreamt of bountiful harvests and a life of ease. When the rains failed, his face clouded with despair. He’d curse the heavens and bemoan his fate, letting worry consume him. His crops withered, and so did his spirit. Bala, however, approached each season with quiet acceptance. He knew that sun and storm were both part of the rhythm of farming. When the rains were scarce, he’d find new ways to conserve water, always adapting. Even when his crops were meager, he'd find gratitude in the small things. One year, a terrible drought struck. Arun’s fields were barren, and his heart heavy with sadness. Bala’s harvest was also small, but he remained calm. He shared what little he had, offering a comforting word and a helping hand. Arun, seeing Bala's resilience, began to understand something profound.