Kural #879
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Tamil text
உயிர்ப்ப துளர்வசே மன்ற
செயிர்ப்பவர் செம்மல் சிதைக்கலா தார்
Uyirppa tuḷarvacē maṉṟa
Ceyirppavar cemmal citaikkalā tār
English translation
Those who cannot destroy their enemy's pride will surely be destroyed, like a breath that passes.
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Explanation
If you cannot overcome an enemy who harbors anger against you, your own existence becomes fleeting like breath. The inability to counter hostile pride leads to one's own downfall.
விளக்கம்
பகைவரின் செருக்கை அழிக்க முடியாதவர், மூச்சுக்காற்று போல விரைவில் அழிவர். பகைத்திறம் தெரிதல் அதிகாரத்தில், எதிரியின் பலவீனத்தை அறிந்து வெல்ல வேண்டும். எதிரியின் கர்வம் அடக்காவிட்டால், நம் வாழ்வு நிலையற்றதாகிவிடும்.
Word meanings
- உயிர்ப்பதுuyirppatubreathing/living
- உளர்uḷarthey exist
- அசேacēcertainly
- மன்றmaṉṟaindeed/surely
- செயிர்ப்பவர்ceyirppavarthose who are angry
- செம்மல்cemmalpride/greatness
- சிதைக்கcitaikkato destroy
- ஆலாதார்ālātārthose unable
Story behind this kural
The old village of Vellore was nestled beside a river, its fields lush and green. For years, it prospered, but then the neighboring village, Kottai, grew envious. Their chieftain, a proud man named Arul, began to harass Vellore. He demanded tribute, stole their harvests, and insulted their elders. The villagers of Vellore, led by the wise elder, Kumar, debated their response. Some wanted to appease Arul, hoping to avoid conflict. Others wanted to fight, fueled by their anger. Kumar, however, observed Arul’s pride. He saw that Arul’s arrogance was his weakness. Instead of direct confrontation, Kumar devised a plan. He sent a series of riddles to Arul, each subtly mocking his judgment. He then invited Arul to a festival, where the villagers feigned respect while subtly undermining his authority. Arul, consumed by his pride and unable to understand Kumar’s subtle maneuvers, became increasingly isolated and enraged. His anger consumed him, and his influence over Kottai slowly waned until he was no longer a threat. Vellore continued to flourish.