Kural #840
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
கழாஅக்கால் பள்ளியுள் வைத்தற்றால்
சான்றோர் குழாஅத்துப் பேதை புகல்
Kaḻāakkāl paḷḷiyuḷ vaittaṟṟāl
Cāṉṟōr kuḻāattup pētai pukal
English translation
A fool entering an assembly of the wise is like placing unwashed feet upon a bed.
Listen
Explanation
When a fool (பேதை) enters a gathering of wise people (சான்றோர் குழு), it is as offensive as putting unwashed feet (கழாக்கால்) on a bed (பள்ளி). The fool's presence defiles the noble assembly just as dirt defiles clean bedding.
விளக்கம்
பேதையொருவன் கற்றோர் சபையில் நுழைவது, கழுவாத காலை படுக்கையில் வைப்பது போலாகும். அறிவில்லாதவன் நல்லோர் கூட்டத்தை கெடுப்பான். பேதைமை அதிகாரத்தில், அறிவின்மையால் ஏற்படும் தீமையை வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார்.
Word meanings
- கழாஅkaḻāaunwashed
- கால்kālfeet
- பள்ளிpaḷḷibed
- உள்uḷupon
- வைத்தற்றால்vaittaṟṟālis like placing
- சான்றோர்cāṉṟōrthe wise/noble
- குழாத்துkuḻāttuassembly
- பேதைpētaifool
- புகல்pukalentering
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a wise elder named Thulasi. Villagers often sought his counsel, gathering in his humble courtyard. One day, a wealthy merchant, known for his boastfulness, pushed his way into the circle. He interrupted Thulasi's words, declaring his own opinions on matters he barely understood. His pronouncements, filled with ignorance, disrupted the thoughtful atmosphere. The villagers exchanged uneasy glances, their faces reflecting discomfort. It was as if a sudden storm had swept through the tranquil space, scattering the peaceful calm. Later, as the merchant departed, muttering about the "slow minds" of the villagers, Thulasi quietly resumed his teachings. A young boy, watching the scene, remarked, "His words felt... wrong, like a harsh noise." An older woman nodded, "Like bringing muddy boots into a clean home." The air, once again, was filled with quiet understanding.