Kural #814
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Tamil text
அமரகத்து ஆற்றறுக்கும் கல்லாமா
அன்னார் தமரின் தனிமை தலை
Amarakattu āṟṟaṟukkum kallāmā
Aṉṉār tamariṉ taṉimai talai
English translation
Solitude is better than the company of those like untrained horses that bolt in battle.
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Explanation
Friends who abandon you in crisis are like untrained horses (கல்லா மா) that run away in battle (அமரகத்து ஆற்று அறுக்கும்). Being alone (தனிமை) is better than such company.
விளக்கம்
தீய நண்பர்கள் போர்க்களத்தில் கைவிடும் குதிரை போல ஆபத்தில் உதவுவதில்லை. அவர்களைவிட தனிமையே மேல். தீ நட்பு அதிகாரத்தில், கெட்ட நட்பின் விளைவுகளை வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். ஆபத்தில் உதவும் நண்பனே உண்மையான நண்பன்.
Word meanings
- அமரகத்துamarakattuin battle
- ஆற்றுāṟṟupath
- அறுக்கும்aṟukkumcutting off/fleeing
- கல்லாkallāuntrained
- மாmāhorse
- அன்னார்aṉṉārlike those
- தமரின்tamariṉthan kinsmen
- தனிமைtaṉimaisolitude
- தலைtalaisuperior
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his steady hand and wise decisions. Bala, however, was impulsive, always chasing fleeting pleasures. They agreed to share a field, planting their crops together. A harsh storm arrived, threatening to destroy the harvest. Arun worked tirelessly, building barriers and reinforcing the crops. Bala, fearing the loss, fled to the village, seeking shelter and comfort. Arun, alone, managed to save most of his harvest. When the storm passed, Bala returned, expecting Arun's sympathy. He instead found a bountiful harvest, while his own field was barren. He grumbled, blaming the storm. Arun simply smiled, sharing his harvest with the village, content in the quiet satisfaction of his labor. The villagers understood who truly deserved their respect.