Kural #659
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Tamil text
அழக்கொண்ட எல்லாம் அழப்போம்
இழப்பினும் பிற்பயக்கும் நற்பா லவை
Aḻakkoṇṭa ellām aḻappōm
Iḻappiṉum piṟpayakkum naṟpā lavai
English translation
What is gained by causing others' tears will depart with tears; what is lost virtuously will yield good in the future.
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Explanation
Ill-gotten gains (அழக்கொண்ட - taken causing tears) will leave with weeping. But virtuous losses (நற்பால் இழப்பு) bring future blessings. This is karmic justice.
விளக்கம்
பிறர் துன்பத்தால் சேர்த்த செல்வம் அழ அழ போகும். நேர்மையாக இழந்தாலும், அது நன்மையே தரும். வினைத்தூய்மை அதிகாரத்தில், கெட்ட வழியில் சம்பாதிப்பதை விட நல்ல வழியில் இழப்பதே மேல் என்பது நீதி.
Word meanings
- அழaḻacrying/weeping
- கொண்டkoṇṭataken
- எல்லாம்ellāmall
- அழப்போம்aḻappōmwill go with tears
- இழப்பினும்iḻappiṉumeven if losing
- பிற்பயக்கும்piṟpayakkumwill yield later
- நல்nalgood
- பால்pālnature/kind
- அவைavaithose
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a river, lived two merchants, Arun and Bala. Arun, known for his cunning, always sought the quickest path to wealth. He’d shortchange customers and spread rumors to ruin his competitors. He built a grand house and wore the finest silks, enjoying his ill-gotten gains. Bala, on the other hand, was known for his honesty. Though he struggled, he always treated others fairly. Once, a fire destroyed his shop, leaving him with nothing. Villagers, touched by his plight, offered help, but Bala refused, saying, "I will rebuild with my own hands." Years passed. Arun’s wealth crumbled as his customers deserted him, and he was left with nothing. Bala, however, slowly rebuilt his shop, and with the villagers' support, it became the most successful in the village. His integrity had earned him something far more valuable than gold.