Kural #861
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
வலியார்க்கு மாறேற்றல் ஓம்புக
ஓம்பா மெலியார்மேல் மேக பகை
Valiyārkku māṟēṟṟal ōmpuka
Ōmpā meliyārmēl mēka pakai
English translation
Avoid opposing the strong; heap enmity upon the weak without restraint.
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Explanation
Strategic advice: avoid confronting the powerful (வலியார்க்கு மாறேற்றல் ஓம்புக). Instead, if enmity is necessary, direct it toward the weak (மெலியார் மேல்) without hesitation. Choose battles wisely.
விளக்கம்
பொருள்: பலம் பொருந்தியவர்களுடன் சண்டையிடுவதைத் தவிர்க்கவும். பலவீனமானவர்கள் மீது தயங்காமல் பகைமை பாராட்டவும். பகைமாட்சி அதிகாரத்தில் இது ஒரு போர் தந்திரம். புத்திசாலித்தனமாக எதிரியைத் தேர்ந்தெடு.
Word meanings
- வலியார்க்குvaliyārkkuagainst the strong
- மாறுmāṟuopposition
- ஏற்றல்ēṟṟalraising/confronting
- ஓம்புகōmpukaavoid
- ஓம்பாōmpāwithout avoiding
- மெலியார்meliyārthe weak
- மேல்mēlupon
- மேகmēkaheap/load
- பகைpakaienmity
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a vast forest, lived two woodcutters, Arun and Bala. Arun was strong and known for his skill, felling the tallest trees with ease. Bala, however, was slight and his axe often glanced harmlessly off the wood. One day, a wealthy merchant, angered by Arun’s refusal to sell him a choice log, declared he would ruin the woodcutter. He sent his guards to seize Arun's tools and threaten his livelihood. Arun, though furious, kept silent and avoided confrontation. Instead, the merchant turned his ire to Bala, whose small hut bordered the merchant's land. He accused Bala of allowing his chickens to scratch in his garden and demanded compensation. Bala, unable to defend himself, was forced to comply, his meager earnings diminished. The merchant, satisfied, left both men. Arun continued to work, untouched. Bala, however, was left with nothing.