Kural #92
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Tamil text
அகன்அமர்ந்து ஈதலின் நன்றே
முகனமர்ந்து இன்சொலன் ஆகப் பெறின்
Akaṉamarntu ītaliṉ naṉṟē
Mukaṉamarntu iṉcolaṉ ākap peṟiṉ
English translation
Speaking pleasant words with a cheerful face is even better than giving generously with a willing heart.
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Explanation
This profound kural teaches that kind words with a smiling face are more valuable than material charity. A gift given with a frown loses its value, but sweet words with a welcoming expression cost nothing yet give immeasurable joy. This is a key teaching for daily life.
விளக்கம்
மனம் உவந்து தானம் செய்வதை விட, முகம் மலர்ந்து இனிய சொற்கள் கூறுவது சிறந்தது. இனியவை கூறல் அதிகாரத்தின்படி, இது எளியோருக்கு மகிழ்ச்சி அளிக்கும் சிறந்த அறம். அன்பான வார்த்தைகளே உயர்ந்த உதவி.
Word meanings
- அகன்akaṉheart/mind
- அமர்ந்துamarntusettled/willing
- ஈதலின்ītaliṉthan giving
- நன்றேnaṉṟēis better (emphatic)
- முகன்mukaṉface
- இன்சொலன்iṉcolaṉone who speaks sweetly
- ஆகākabecoming
- பெறின்peṟiṉif one attains
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two brothers, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his generous donations. He gave food to the hungry and clothes to the needy, always with a stern face and a grumbled word. People accepted his gifts, but often left feeling a chill despite the warmth of the food. Bala, on the other hand, possessed little wealth. His house was humble, but his smile was radiant. Whenever he spoke, his voice was like a gentle breeze. One day, a traveler, weary and lost, approached both brothers. Arun, without a smile, gave the traveler a loaf of bread. The traveler thanked him, his face etched with a hint of unease. Bala, seeing the exchange, offered the traveler a cup of water, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Welcome, friend," he said, his voice full of warmth. The traveler drank deeply, a genuine smile spreading across his face.