Kural #833
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Tamil text
நாணாமை நாடாமை நாரின்மை
யாதொன்றும் பேணாமை பேதை தொழில்
Nāṇāmai nāṭāmai nāriṉmai
Yātoṉṟum pēṇāmai pētai toḻil
English translation
Shamelessness, lack of inquiry, absence of affection, and caring for nothing - these are the fool's occupations.
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Explanation
Four marks of the fool: நாணாமை (shamelessness), நாடாமை (not seeking/inquiring), நாரின்மை (lacking kindness/affection), and யாதொன்றும் பேணாமை (caring for nothing). These traits define foolish behavior.
விளக்கம்
பேதைமை அதிகாரத்தில், ஒரு முட்டாள் எப்படி இருப்பான் என்று வள்ளுவர் சொல்கிறார். நாணமில்லாமல், எதையும் விசாரிக்காமல், அன்பு இல்லாமல், எதைப் பற்றியும் கவலைப்படாமல் இருப்பது முட்டாள்தனம். இப்படி இல்லாமல் நல்லவனாக வாழ வேண்டும்.
Word meanings
- நாணாமைnāṇāmaishamelessness
- நாடாமைnāṭāmainot seeking/inquiring
- நார்nāraffection/kindness
- இன்மைiṉmaiabsence
- யாதொன்றும்yātoṉṟumanything
- பேணாமைpēṇāmainot caring
- பேதைpētaifool
- தொழில்toḻiloccupation
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a merchant named Thiru. He was known for his overflowing coffers, yet his heart was a barren field. Thiru cared little for his neighbors, often haggling mercilessly and ignoring their pleas for help. He never inquired about their well-being, nor did he offer a kind word. One harsh winter, the village faced famine. The villagers, desperate, approached Thiru, hoping for grain. He scoffed, demanding exorbitant prices, indifferent to their suffering. He flaunted his wealth, showing no shame in his greed. He paid no heed to the elders' counsel, nor to the children’s hungry cries. As spring arrived, the villagers found ways to help each other, sharing what little they had. But Thiru's storehouses remained full. That summer, a fire swept through the village, destroying many homes. While others rebuilt together, Thiru, untouched, remained isolated, his riches a cold comfort. He was left alone.