Kural #657
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Tamil text
பழிமலைந்து எய்திய ஆக்கத்தின்
சான்றோர் கழிநல் குரவே தலை
Paḻimalaintu eytiya ākkattiṉ
Cāṉṟōr kaḻinal kuravē talai
English translation
The poverty of the virtuous is far better than the prosperity gained through blame-worthy means.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar states that honorable poverty (கழிநல் குரவு = extreme poverty of the noble) surpasses wealth earned through disgrace (பழிமலைந்து = climbing through blame). Integrity trumps prosperity.
விளக்கம்
பழி சேரும் வழியில் செல்வம் சேர்த்தலை விட, நேர்மையான வறுமையே சிறந்தது. வினைத்தூய்மை அதிகாரத்தில், தவறான செயல்களால் வரும் ஆக்கத்தை விட நல்லொழுக்கமே மேலானது என்கிறார் வள்ளுவர். ஒழுக்கத்துடன் வாழ்வதே உயர்ந்தது.
Word meanings
- பழிpaḻiblame/disgrace
- மலைந்துmalaintuclimbing/mounting
- எய்தியeytiyaattained
- ஆக்கத்தின்ākkattiṉthan prosperity
- சான்றோர்cāṉṟōrthe noble
- கழிkaḻiextreme
- நல்குரவுnalkuravupoverty
- தலைtalaisuperior/chief
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two merchants. Kumar, known for his honest dealings, sold grains at fair prices. His small shop was humble, yet his heart was content. Across the way, stood the grand emporium of Varun, who had grown wealthy quickly. Whispers followed him; tales of inflated prices and shady deals. One season, a great drought struck. Kumar's granary held enough to feed the villagers, but at a loss to himself. He sold his grains at cost, ensuring no one starved. Varun, however, hoarded his supplies, selling at exorbitant prices, growing richer as others suffered. When the rains finally returned, Kumar's shop remained modest. Varun's emporium, overflowing with goods, seemed more impressive. But as the villagers rebuilt their lives, they remembered who had helped them survive. They chose to support Kumar, the man of simple means, whose actions had brought them through the hardship with dignity. Varun's wealth brought him only loneliness and the silent scorn of those he had profited from.