Kural #832
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Tamil text
பேதைமையுள் எல்லாம் பேதைமை
காதன்மை கையல்ல தன்கண் செயல்
Pētaimaiyuḷ ellām pētaimai
Kātaṉmai kaiyalla taṉkaṇ ceyal
English translation
The greatest folly among follies is to love and do what is not within one's capability.
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Explanation
The supreme folly is loving (காதன்மை = attachment/desire) and pursuing that which is beyond one's ability (கையல்ல = not in one's hands). Attempting the impossible from misplaced desire is the ultimate foolishness.
விளக்கம்
பேதைமை அதிகாரத்தில், இந்த குறள் மிகப்பெரிய முட்டாள்தனத்தை சொல்கிறது. தனக்கு முடியாத விஷயத்தை ஆசைப்பட்டு செய்ய நினைப்பதுதான் முட்டாள்தனத்தின் உச்சம். நம் திறமைக்கு மீறியதை விரும்பினால் ஏமாற்றமே மிஞ்சும்.
Word meanings
- பேதைமையுள்pētaimaiyuḷamong follies
- எல்லாம்ellāmall
- காதன்மைkātaṉmailove/attachment
- கைkaihand/capability
- அல்லallanot
- தன்கண்taṉkaṇin oneself
- செயல்ceyaldoing
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a woodcutter named Arun. He admired the King’s golden throne, shimmering in the sunlight. Arun, though strong with his axe, knew he was no craftsman. Yet, he desired the throne's beauty. He announced he would carve a new throne, finer than the King’s own. The villagers chuckled, but Arun, fueled by his desire, ignored them. He felled the strongest oak, working day and night. But his clumsy hands, though willing, were unsuited. His carvings were crude, the wood splintered, the design a mess. Finally, exhausted and disheartened, he presented his work. The King, amused, praised Arun's enthusiasm, but the throne was unusable. Arun, ashamed, retreated to his small hut. He returned to his true craft, the familiar rhythm of the axe in the forest. He found contentment in what he *could* do, the strength of his own hands, and the simple beauty of the wood.