Kural #695
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
எப்பொருளும் ஓரார் தொடரார்மற்
றப்பொருளை விட்டக்கால் கேட்க மறை
Epporuḷum ōrār toṭarārmaṟ
Ṟapporuḷai viṭṭakkāl kēṭka maṟai
English translation
Do not pry into any matter or pursue it; when the king shares a secret, listen without repeating.
Listen
Explanation
Three rules: don't investigate matters uninvited (ஓரார்), don't pursue topics further (தொடரார்), and when secrets are shared (மறை), listen but keep them confidential (கேட்க). Discretion is essential.
விளக்கம்
எந்த விஷயத்திலும் மூக்கை நுழைக்காதே. அரசர் ரகசியம் சொன்னால், அதை வெளியே சொல்லாதே. மன்னரைச் சேர்ந்தொழுகுதலில், இது முக்கியம். அமைதியாய் இருப்பது நல்லது.
Word meanings
- எப்பொருளும்epporuḷumany matter
- ஓரார்ōrārnot prying
- தொடரார்toṭarārnot pursuing
- மற்றுmaṟṟumoreover
- அப்பொருளைapporuḷaithat matter
- விட்டக்கால்viṭṭakkālwhen released/shared
- கேட்கkēṭkalisten
- மறைmaṟaisecret
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside the King’s castle, lived two brothers, Arun and Bala. Arun, a curious soul, always sought to uncover hidden truths. Bala, however, was content with what was revealed. One day, the King summoned Arun. "I need a loyal ear," he said, confiding a secret plan to build a new granary. Arun, thrilled, immediately questioned the details: the location, the materials, the timeline. Later, the King called Bala. He simply stated his intention, sharing the same secret. Bala listened intently, offering only his support. Arun, unable to contain his knowledge, boasted to the villagers about the granary. Whispers spread, and soon, the King's enemies learned of the plan. The project was delayed, and the King, displeased, lost trust in Arun. Bala, however, remained trusted and respected. He had learned the value of a silent ear.