Kural #810
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Tamil text
பழைமை பாராட்டிக் கைவிட்டார்
பற்றலே மேலாள்வார்க்கு அச்சமாய்த் தற்று
Paḻaimai pārāṭṭik kaiviṭṭār
Paṟṟalē mēlāḷvārkku accamāyt taṟṟu
English translation
For great leaders, the only fear is being associated with those who boasted of old friendship and then abandoned.
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Explanation
Great leaders (மேலாள்வார்) fear only one thing: being associated with (பற்றல்) those who boasted of old friendship (பழைமை பாராட்டி) but then abandoned (கைவிட்டார்).
விளக்கம்
பழைய நட்பைப் பெருமையாகச் சொல்லி, பிறகு விட்டுவிடுபவர்களைச் சேர்வது, நல்ல தலைவர்களுக்குப் பயம் தரும். 'பழைமை' அதிகாரத்தில், நட்பின் அருமையை வள்ளுவர் சொல்கிறார். அப்படிப்பட்ட நட்பை உதறித் தள்ளுபவர்களை நம்பக்கூடாது.
Word meanings
- பழைமைpaḻaimaiold friendship
- பாராட்டிpārāṭṭiboasting
- கைவிட்டார்kaiviṭṭārthose who abandoned
- பற்றல்paṟṟalgrasping/associating
- மேலாள்வார்க்குmēlāḷvārkkufor great leaders
- அச்சம்accamfear
- ஆய்āybecoming
- தற்றுtaṟṟuis like
Story behind this kural
The King surveyed his advisors, a grim expression on his face. "The war chest is empty," he announced. "We must find a way to replenish our coffers." Old Man Tiber, a childhood friend of the King, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I have known you since we were boys. I have always been loyal. Trust in my wisdom, and I shall guide you." Tiber proposed a risky trade route, filled with bandits and treacherous terrain. Many advisors warned against it, but the King, remembering their shared youth, trusted Tiber's counsel. The journey ended in disaster. The King's merchants were ambushed, and the kingdom lost a fortune. When the King confronted Tiber, he simply shrugged, claiming the risks were unforeseen. He spoke of their long friendship, as if that excused his folly. The King, though saddened by the loss, understood a deeper truth. He replaced Tiber with a wise merchant known for his integrity. Under the new advisor's guidance, the kingdom flourished. The King learned that true loyalty is proven by actions, not by the echoing claims of the past.