Kural #701
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Tamil text
கூறாமை நோக்கிக் குறிப்பறிவான்
எஞ்ஞான்றும் மாறாநீர் வையக் கணி
Kūṟāmai nōkkik kuṟippaṟivāṉ
Eññāṉṟum māṟānīr vaiyak kaṇi
English translation
One who reads others' intentions without them speaking is forever an ornament to the world.
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Explanation
The ability to understand intentions (குறிப்பு அறிவான்) without words spoken (கூறாமை நோக்கி) makes one an eternal ornament (கணி) to the world. This skill is like unchanging water (மாறா நீர்) - ever valuable.
விளக்கம்
பிறர் சொல்லாமலே அவர் எண்ணத்தை அறிபவன் உலகிற்கு அணிகலன். குறிப்பறிதல் அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம். இத்திறமை மாறாத நீரைப் போல் மதிப்புடையது. பிறர் மனதை உணர்ந்து உதவுவதே சிறப்பு.
Word meanings
- கூறாமைkūṟāmaiwithout speaking
- நோக்கிnōkkilooking/observing
- குறிப்புkuṟippuintention/sign
- அறிவான்aṟivāṉone who knows
- எஞ்ஞான்றும்eññāṉṟumalways
- மாறாmāṟāunchanging
- நீர்nīrwater
- வையம்vaiyamworld
- கணிkaṇiornament
Story behind this kural
The village elder, Thiru, was known for his quiet wisdom. One market day, a young merchant, Ravi, approached him, his face etched with worry. Ravi's spice cart was empty, his usual customers having deserted him for a newcomer. Thiru said nothing, but his gaze lingered on Ravi’s downcast eyes, then on the worn leather of his sandals. He gestured towards a shaded corner. There, without a word, he began arranging a display of fragrant herbs he'd gathered. He placed them beside Ravi's cart. Soon, the sweet aroma drew passersby. They paused, intrigued. Ravi, understanding the unspoken guidance, began describing the herbs' uses. Customers, charmed by his newfound confidence, bought both herbs and spices. Ravi's cart filled, and his spirits lifted. He looked at Thiru, a silent thank you in his eyes. The elder simply smiled, his eyes twinkling with gentle knowing.