Kural #843
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Tamil text
அறிவிலார் தாந்தம்மைப் பீழிக்கும் பீழை
செறுவார்க்கும் செய்தல் அரிது
Aṟivilār tāntammaip pīḻikkum pīḻai
Ceṟuvārkkum ceytal aritu
English translation
The harm that the ignorant inflict upon themselves, even their enemies could not do.
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Explanation
Fools (அறிவிலார்) harm themselves (தாந்தம்மைப் பீழிக்கும்) in ways that even their worst enemies (செறுவார்) could not accomplish. Self-destruction through ignorance exceeds any external attack.
விளக்கம்
அறிவில்லாதவர் தமக்குத் தாமே தீங்கு தேடிக்கொள்வர். பகைவர்கூட அவ்வளவு கெடுதல் செய்யமுடியாது. "புல்லறிவாண்மை" அதிகாரத்தில், அறிவின்மையால் வரும் துன்பத்தை வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். அறிவோடு செயல்பட்டால் துன்பம் இல்லை.
Word meanings
- அறிவிலார்aṟivilārthe ignorant
- தாம்tāmthemselves
- தம்மைtammaithemselves
- பீழிக்கும்pīḻikkumtorment
- பீழைpīḻaisuffering
- செறுவார்க்கும்ceṟuvārkkumeven for enemies
- செய்தல்ceytaldoing
- அரிதுaritudifficult
Story behind this kural
In a bustling village nestled beside a shimmering river, lived a merchant named Arun. He was known for his booming voice and impulsive decisions. One day, a shrewd trader from a neighboring town offered Arun a rare gemstone at a price that seemed unbelievably low. Arun, blinded by greed, didn't bother to examine the gem closely, nor did he seek advice from anyone. He immediately emptied his coffers, purchasing the stone. The next morning, Arun proudly displayed his treasure to the village. The villagers, however, saw not a precious jewel, but a piece of colored glass. Arun, enraged by his foolish purchase, lost his temper and drove away his loyal customers. He then began to gamble, hoping to recover his losses, but only incurred more debt. Soon, Arun's business crumbled, and he was left with nothing but regret. He had destroyed his own wealth and reputation, something his rivals could never have accomplished.