Kural #714
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
ஒளியார்முன் ஒள்ளியர் ஆதல்
வெளியார்முன் வான்சுதை வண்ணம் கொளல்
Oḷiyārmuṉ oḷḷiyar ātal
Veḷiyārmuṉ vāṉcutai vaṇṇam koḷal
English translation
Be brilliant before the brilliant; before the dull, take on the appearance of pure white lime.
Listen
Explanation
Adapt your brilliance (ஒள்ளியர்) to match wise audiences (ஒளியார் முன்). Before the ignorant (வெளியார் முன்), be simple like white plaster (வான் சுதை). A skilled speaker adjusts to the audience.
விளக்கம்
ஒளியுள்ளவர் முன் ஒளியாக, அறிவில்லாதவர் முன் வெண்மையாக இரு. சபையின் தன்மை அறிந்து பேசவேண்டும். அவையறிதல் அதிகாரத்தின்படி, யார் முன் எப்படி பேசணுமோ அப்படி பேசணும்.
Word meanings
- ஒளியார்oḷiyārthe brilliant
- முன்muṉbefore
- ஒள்ளியர்oḷḷiyarbrilliant one
- ஆதல்ātalbecoming
- வெளியார்veḷiyārthe ignorant/outsiders
- வான்vāṉpure/sky
- சுதைcutailime plaster
- வண்ணம்vaṇṇamcolor/appearance
- கொளல்koḷaltaking
Story behind this kural
In a bustling marketplace, a young merchant named Arul displayed his wares. Before a gathering of seasoned traders, he expertly detailed the quality of his silks, using complex terms and intricate patterns to highlight their value. The experienced merchants nodded, impressed by his knowledge. Later, he encountered a group of villagers admiring his goods. Arul, sensing their simpler understanding, chose a different approach. He spoke plainly, emphasizing the silks’ softness and vibrant colors, focusing on their beauty rather than technical details. He even offered a small discount, knowing this would please them. As the day ended, a wise old woman approached Arul. "You are like the chameleon," she said, "changing your hue to blend with your surroundings. You understood how to speak to each group, making each feel valued." Arul smiled, realizing the truth in her words, knowing his day's success came from his understanding of those he served.