Kural #725
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Tamil text
உளரென்னும் மாத்திரையர் அல்லால் பயவாது
அளரெழுந்து அல்லாற் சிறப்பு
Uḷareṉṉum māttiraiyar allāl payavātu
Aḷareḻuntu allāṟ ciṟappu
English translation
Those who cannot rise and speak in an assembly gain no distinction; they are merely counted as present, nothing more.
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Explanation
Simply being physically present in an assembly means nothing. True recognition and honor come only to those who can stand up and contribute meaningfully through their speech. Silent presence earns no merit.
விளக்கம்
சபையில் பேசித் திறமை காட்டாதவர், அங்கிருப்பது வெறும் எண்ணிக்கைக்குத்தான். அவை அஞ்சாமை அதிகாரத்தில், கற்றவர் சபையில் கருத்துச் சொல்லாதவர் சிறப்படைய முடியாது என்கிறார் திருவள்ளுவர். பேசும் திறமையே மதிப்பைத் தரும்.
Word meanings
- உளர்uḷarare present/exist
- என்னும்eṉṉumcalled/said to be
- மாத்திரையர்māttiraiyaronly that much/merely
- அல்லால்allālexcept/other than
- பயவாதுpayavātuwill not result/produce
- அளர்aḷarsound/speech
- எழுந்துeḻunturising
- சிறப்புciṟappuexcellence/distinction
Story behind this kural
In a village council, the elders gathered to discuss the harvest. Farmer Arul sat amongst them, a strong man known for his tireless work in the fields. Yet, when the village headman asked for opinions on water conservation, Arul remained silent. He shifted in his seat, his hands clasped tightly. Across the circle, young Selvi, a weaver's daughter, stood. Though smaller and less weathered than Arul, she spoke clearly and with passion, suggesting a clever system of irrigation using bamboo pipes. The villagers listened, nodding in agreement. Her idea, born of observation and courage, was adopted. Arul continued to tend his crops, as always, but his heart felt heavy. He was present at the council, yes, but it was Selvi's voice, not his, that echoed in the village, shaping their future. The headman praised Selvi's quick thinking, and her name became synonymous with the village's success.