Kural #758
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Tamil text
கொன்றன்று கொலையாளர் மேன்மக்கட் பேஎய்
இன்றெனினும் இன்மை கெடும்
Koṉdraṉdru kolaiyāḷar mēṉmakkaṭ pēey
Iṉdreṉiṉum iṉmai keṭum
English translation
Poverty kills without being a murderer, devours like a demon among noble people; even saying "I have nothing today" destroys dignity.
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Explanation
Destitution functions as an invisible executioner and hungry demon among the respectable, stripping away honor and humanity merely through the utterance of one's impoverished state.
விளக்கம்
வறுமை ஒரு கொலையாளியைப் போல, கண்ணுக்குத் தெரியாமல் நல்லவர்களை அழிக்கும். அது பேய் மாதிரி மானத்தை கெடுக்கும். "இன்று ஏதும் இல்லை" என்று சொன்னாலே, மதிப்பு போய்விடும். பொருள் சேர்ப்பதன் முக்கியத்துவத்தை இது காட்டுகிறது.
Word meanings
- கொன்றுkoṉdrukilling
- அன்றுaṉdruwithout being
- கொலைkolaimurder
- ஆளர்āḷardoer/killer
- மேல்mēlnoble/high
- மக்கள்makkaḷpeople
- பேய்pēydemon/ghost
- இன்றுiṉdrutoday
- எனினும்eṉiṉumeven if saying
- இன்மைiṉmaipoverty
- கெடும்keṭumdestroys
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering river lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his generous spirit, always sharing his meager harvest. Bala, though industrious, hoarded every grain, fearing lean times. A harsh drought struck. Arun, having shared his bounty, faced empty granaries. He swallowed his pride and went to Bala, asking for a loan. Bala, pointing to his overflowing storehouse, refused, citing his own future needs. Arun, dejected, had to sell his tools and till his land no more. Days turned into weeks. Arun, though hungry, maintained his dignity, working odd jobs. Bala, however, found his wealth isolating. Neighbors, once friendly, now avoided him. Even his own family seemed distant, their eyes filled with a silent judgment. The drought eventually broke, but Bala’s spirit remained withered.