Kural #819
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Tamil text
கனவினும் இன்னாது மன்னோ
வினைவேறு சொல்வேறு பட்டார் தொடர்பு
Kaṉaviṉum iṉṉātu maṉṉō
Viṉaivēṟu colvēṟu paṭṭār toṭarpu
English translation
Even in dreams, the company of those whose words and deeds differ is painful.
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Explanation
The association of those whose words and actions differ (சொல் வேறு வினை வேறு) is so harmful that it causes pain (இன்னாது) even in dreams (கனவினும்). Hypocrisy poisons even sleep.
விளக்கம்
சொல்லொன்று, செயலொன்றாகப் பேசுபவரின் நட்பு கனவிலும் துன்பம் தரும். தீ நட்பு அதிகாரத்தில் வரும் குறள் இது. உள்ளொன்று வைத்துப் புறமொன்று பேசுபவர் உறவு வேண்டாமே. உண்மை பேசி நல்ல நட்பு கொள்வதே நன்று.
Word meanings
- கனவினும்kaṉaviṉumeven in dreams
- இன்னாதுiṉṉātupainful
- மன்னோmaṉṉōindeed
- வினைviṉaiaction
- வேறுvēṟudifferent
- சொல்colword
- பட்டார்paṭṭārthose who have
- தொடர்புtoṭarpuconnection
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river lived two friends, Arun and Bala. Arun, a farmer, was known for his generous spirit. Bala, a merchant, often spoke of honesty and fairness. One year, a terrible drought struck. Arun, desperate to save his crops, asked Bala for help. Bala promised to provide water, declaring his loyalty and friendship. Arun, relieved, poured his trust into Bala's words. Days turned into weeks, but the water never came. Arun watched his fields wither, while Bala, in the marketplace, continued to boast of his good deeds. Finally, Arun confronted Bala, only to be met with excuses and a hollow laugh. That night, Arun dreamt of a lush green field. As he reached to harvest his crops, Bala appeared, offering a basket. But when Arun looked inside, the basket was empty. He awoke with a start, the echo of Bala's false promises still ringing in his ears. The field was gone.