Kural #868
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Tamil text
குணனிலனாய்க் குற்றம் பலவாயின்
மாற்றார்க்கு இனனிலனாம் ஏமாப் புடைத்து
Kuṇaṉilaṉāyk kuṟṟam palavāyiṉ
Māṟṟārkku iṉaṉilaṉām ēmāp puṭaittu
English translation
If one lacks virtues and has many faults and no supporters, it provides security for enemies.
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Explanation
When an enemy lacks virtues (குணன் இலன்), has many faults (குற்றம் பல), and no allies (இனன் இலன்), it provides security (ஏமாப்பு) for opponents (மாற்றார்க்கு). Such comprehensive weakness guarantees victory.
விளக்கம்
குணமில்லாமலும், நிறைய தப்பு செய்தும், துணை இல்லாமலும் இருந்தால், எதிரிக்கு அது பாதுகாப்பு. பகைமாட்சி அதிகாரத்தில், பலவீனமான எதிரியை வெல்வது எளிது என்கிறது குறள். ஒழுக்கம், நட்பு முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- குணன்kuṇaṉvirtue
- இலன்ilaṉwithout
- ஆய்āybeing
- குற்றம்kuṟṟamfaults
- பலpalamany
- ஆயின்āyiṉif being
- மாற்றார்க்குmāṟṟārkkufor enemies
- இனன்iṉaṉally
- ஏமாப்புēmāppusecurity
- உடைத்துuṭaittuhas
Story behind this kural
In a valley nestled between towering mountains lived two villages. One, prosperous and kind, was ruled by a wise elder. The other, shadowed by a dark forest, was governed by a boastful chieftain, known for his cruelty and greed. The chieftain, wanting the valley's riches, often plotted against his neighbor. He’d gather his warriors, but their loyalty wavered. His advisors were always at odds, bickering amongst themselves. His harsh laws bred resentment, and the people grumbled. Each raid he attempted failed miserably. His soldiers lacked courage. Meanwhile, the wise elder, foreseeing the threat, prepared. He fortified his village, not with walls, but with unity. He ensured his people were well-fed and treated with respect. When the chieftain's forces finally attacked, the villagers stood together. The chieftain's army, riddled with discord and lacking any real strength, crumbled. Their leader’s flaws had become their undoing, ensuring his neighbor's safety.