Kural #698
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Tamil text
பழையம் எனக்கருதிப் பண்பல்ல செய்யும்
கெழுதகைமை கேடு தரும்
Paḻaiyam eṉakkarutip paṇpalla ceyyum
Keḻutakaimai kēṭu tarum
English translation
The presumptuous familiarity that leads one to think "I am old friends" and act improperly will bring ruin.
Listen
Explanation
Long association (பழையம் - "we are old friends") can breed dangerous familiarity (கெழுதகைமை). Acting improperly (பண்பு அல்ல செய்யும்) based on this presumption brings கேடு (ruin). Never take liberties.
விளக்கம்
பழைய நண்பர் என்று நினைத்து, அரசரிடம் தகுதியற்ற செயல்களைச் செய்வது அழிவைத் தரும். "மன்னரைச் சேர்ந்தொழுகல்" அதிகாரத்தில், அரசரிடம் அளவுக்கு மீறிய உரிமை ஆபத்தானது என்பதை இது காட்டுகிறது. பணிவும் மரியாதையும் காப்பது அவசியம்.
Word meanings
- பழையம்paḻaiyamwe are old
- எனeṉathinking
- கருதிkaruticonsidering
- பண்புpaṇpupropriety
- அல்லallanot
- செய்யும்ceyyumdoing
- கெழுதகைமைkeḻutakaimaipresumptuous familiarity
- கேடுkēṭuruin
- தரும்tarumbrings
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a grand kingdom, lived a loyal woodcutter named Arul. For many years, Arul had provided the King with the finest timber, their relationship built on mutual respect. The King, in turn, favored Arul with generous rewards. Over time, Arul grew confident. He began to believe his long service entitled him to special privileges. One day, Arul needed a new ox. Remembering the King’s prized bull, he boldly approached the royal stables, intending to take it. The stable master, startled, reminded Arul of protocol, but Arul scoffed, "We are old friends! The King won’t mind." News reached the King. Though fond of Arul, the King was bound by duty. He summoned Arul and, with a heavy heart, ordered his trusted woodcutter exiled. Arul, shocked and ashamed, realized his familiarity had blinded him to the boundaries of respect. He had mistaken the King's kindness for weakness, and in doing so, had lost everything.