Kural #878
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Tamil text
உறற்பால பட்டக்கால் உற்றார்க்கு உரைப்பர்
நெறிப்பால நட்டா ரெனினும்
Uṟaṟpāla paṭṭakkāl uṟṟārkku uraippar
Neṟippāla naṭṭā reṉiṉum
English translation
When troubles destined to happen occur, even those who were righteous friends will speak against you.
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Explanation
A sobering truth: when misfortune strikes, even those who walked the path of friendship (நெறிப்பால நட்டார்) may turn against you and speak ill of you to others who have harmed you.
விளக்கம்
விளக்கம்: விதிப்படி துன்பம் வந்தால், நல்ல நண்பர்களாக இருந்தவர்கள்கூட, பகைவர்களிடம் நம்மைப் பற்றி குறை சொல்லுவார்கள். "பகைத்திறம் தெரிதல்" அதிகாரத்தில், ஆபத்தில் யார் மாறுவார்கள் என வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். ஆபத்தில் உதவுபவரே உண்மையான நண்பர்.
Word meanings
- உறல்uṟalhappening
- பாலpāladestined
- பட்டக்கால்paṭṭakkālwhen occurred
- உற்றார்க்குuṟṟārkkuto those who harmed
- உரைப்பர்uraipparthey will speak
- நெறிneṟipath/way
- பாலpālabelonging to
- நட்டார்naṭṭārfriends
- எனினும்eṉiṉumeven if
Story behind this kural
In a quiet village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun owned fertile fields, while Bala struggled with barren land. For years, Arun generously shared his harvest, a true friend in times of need. One season, a cruel drought withered Arun's crops. The villagers whispered, "His wealth has angered the spirits." Soon, a merchant, known for exploiting misfortune, arrived. He offered Arun a pittance for his remaining seeds, a price that would leave him destitute. Arun refused. He turned to Bala, expecting support. But Bala, now surrounded by the merchant, spoke loudly of Arun’s past arrogance, suggesting his fate was deserved. The merchant, hearing this, offered Bala a loan, further solidifying their alliance. Arun, alone and facing ruin, understood the chilling truth of his situation as the sun set.