Kural #838
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Tamil text
மையல் ஒருவன் களித்தற்றால்
பேதைதன் கையொன்று உடைமை பெறின்
Maiyal oruvaṉ kaḷittaṟṟāl
Pētaitaṉ kaiyoṉṟu uṭaimai peṟiṉ
English translation
If a fool possesses something of value, it is like a madman becoming intoxicated.
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Explanation
A fool with possessions (கையொன்று உடைமை) is compared to a madman (மையல்) getting drunk (களித்தல்). Madness compounded with intoxication describes perfectly how a fool behaves when he has resources - doubly dangerous and uncontrolled.
விளக்கம்
பேதை ஒருவன் செல்வம் பெற்றால், ஒரு பைத்தியக்காரன் மது அருந்தியது போலாகும். அறியாமை அதிக செல்வத்தால் மோசமான விளைவுகளை ஏற்படுத்தும். பேதைமை அதிகாரத்தில், விவேகமில்லாமல் செயல்படுவதை இது காட்டுகிறது.
Word meanings
- மையல்maiyalmadman/deluded one
- ஒருவன்oruvaṉa person
- களித்தல்kaḷittalbecoming intoxicated
- அற்றால்aṟṟālis like
- பேதைpētaifool
- தன்taṉhis
- கைkaihand
- ஒன்றுoṉṟusomething
- உடைமைuṭaimaipossession
- பெறின்peṟiṉif obtains
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a simple woodcutter named Thiru. He toiled daily, selling his firewood for meager coins. One day, a traveling merchant, wealthy and flamboyant, stumbled upon Thiru's humble hut, seeking shelter from a storm. The merchant, impressed by Thiru's honesty, gifted him a pouch overflowing with gold. Thiru, never having possessed such wealth, was bewildered. He immediately stopped his woodcutting, instead spending his days in the village tavern. He feasted on the finest foods, boasted loudly of his riches, and made rash bets on games. He became arrogant and reckless, insulting those who once were his friends. Soon, the gold dwindled. He was left with nothing but empty pockets and a reputation as a fool. The merchant, passing through the village again, saw Thiru's plight. Shaking his head, he continued on his journey.