Kural #891
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Tamil text
ஆற்றுவார் ஆற்றல் இகழாமை
போற்றுவார் போற்றலுள் எல்லாம் தலை
Āṟṟuvār āṟṟal ikaḻāmai
Pōṟṟuvār pōṟṟaluḷ ellām talai
English translation
Not despising the power of the powerful is the foremost among all protections that the wise observe.
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Explanation
The wisest form of self-protection is never underestimating the powerful (ஆற்றுவார்). Respecting those with ability and strength is the paramount principle of survival and success.
விளக்கம்
ஆற்றல் மிக்கவரை அவமதிக்காதது சிறந்த பாதுகாப்பு. பெரியோரை இகழ்ந்தால் தீங்கு வரும். தம்மை காக்க நினைப்போர், வல்லமை உள்ளோரை மதிக்க வேண்டும். இதுவே பெரியாரைப் பிழையாமை அதிகாரத்தின் கருத்து.
Word meanings
- ஆற்றுவார்āṟṟuvārthe powerful/capable
- ஆற்றல்āṟṟalpower/ability
- இகழாமைikaḻāmainot despising
- போற்றுவார்pōṟṟuvārthose who protect themselves
- போற்றல்pōṟṟalprotection
- உள்uḷamong
- எல்லாம்ellāmall
- தலைtalaiforemost/chief
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a vast forest lived two woodcutters, Arun and Bala. Arun was young and strong, boasting of his mighty axe and swift work. He often scoffed at the elder woodcutter, a man named Karthi, whose movements were slow and whose axe seemed dull. One harsh winter, a fearsome blizzard descended upon the village. Arun, confident in his strength, ventured deep into the forest, certain to gather ample wood. But the storm worsened, and he quickly became lost and disoriented. His axe, though strong, was useless against the ice-laden trees. Meanwhile, Karthi, with his patient approach, chose sheltered trees near the village. He worked steadily, his firewood secured before the storm's fury peaked. When Arun, shivering and defeated, stumbled back, Karthi offered him warmth and a share of his wood. Arun, humbled, understood the true measure of strength.