Kural #905
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Tamil text
இல்லாளை அஞ்சுவான் அஞ்சும்
மற்றெல்லா பிலவாம்பல் எல்லாரும் காண
Illāḷai añcuvāṉ añcum
Maṟṟellā pilāvāmpal ellārum kāṇa
English translation
One who fears his wife will fear all else; he cannot hold his head high before anyone.
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Explanation
He who fears his wife becomes fearful of everything. Such a person cannot maintain dignity before others; his cowardice becomes visible to all (எல்லாரும் காண).
விளக்கம்
மனைவிக்கு பயப்படுபவன் எல்லாவற்றுக்கும் பயப்படுவான். "பெண்வழிச் சேறல்" அதிகாரத்தில், இப்படிப்பட்டவன் எல்லோருக்கும் முன் தலைகுனிந்து நிற்பான். தைரியம் இல்லாமல் போவான் என்பதே நீதி.
Word meanings
- இல்லாள்illāḷwife
- அஞ்சுவான்añcuvāṉone who fears
- அஞ்சும்añcumwill fear
- மற்றுmaṟṟuother
- எல்லாellāall
- பிலவாம்பல்pilāvāmpalcannot hold head up
- எல்லாரும்ellārumeveryone
- காணkāṇato see
Story behind this kural
In a quiet village nestled beside a whispering forest lived a timid farmer named Arul. His wife, Selvi, was a woman of strong will, and Arul, in his fear of her disapproval, always yielded to her every whim. One day, the village elder announced a contest of strength, offering a prize of the finest bull. Arul, known for his agility, secretly yearned to compete. However, when Selvi declared it was too dangerous, he immediately withdrew, muttering excuses. Later, a merchant arrived, displaying shimmering silks. Arul, desiring a new tunic, found the price within his means. Yet, when Selvi frowned at the expense, he shamefully retreated, pretending indifference. The villagers watched. They saw Arul’s constant deference, his averted gaze, his hesitant steps. Soon, they no longer sought his opinion or valued his word. Even the playful village children, witnessing his timidity, began to mock him. Arul, once respected, became a figure of pity, forever shrinking from the world.