Kural #93
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Tamil text
முகத்தான் அமர்ந்து இனிதுநோக்கி
அகத்தானாம் இன்சொ லினதே அறம்
Mukattāṉ amarntu iṉitunōkki
Akattāṉām iṉco liṉatē aṟam
English translation
True virtue lies in looking at others kindly with a pleasant face and speaking sweet words that spring from a sincere heart.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar defines அறம் (virtue/dharma) beautifully here: a welcoming face, a kind gaze, and sweet words from a genuine heart. External pleasantness must match internal sincerity. This is the essence of righteous conduct in daily interactions.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 93: முகம் மலர்ந்து, அன்பான பார்வையுடன், மனசார இனிய சொற்கள் பேசுவதே அறம். இனியவை கூறல் அதிகாரத்தில், பிறரிடம் கனிவாகப் பேசும் பண்பே சிறந்த அறம் என்பதை வள்ளுவர் வலியுறுத்துகிறார். பிறர் மனம் நோகாமல் பேச வேண்டும்.
Word meanings
- முகத்தான்mukattāṉwith the face
- அமர்ந்துamarntusettled/calm
- இனிதுiṉitupleasantly
- நோக்கிnōkkilooking
- அகத்தான்akattāṉfrom within the heart
- ஆம்āmthat is
- இன்சொல்iṉcolsweet words
- இனதேiṉatēbelongs to/is of
- அறம்aṟamvirtue/dharma
Story behind this kural
The old potter, Elango, was known throughout the village for his beautiful clay pots. One day, a wealthy merchant, bristling with impatience, demanded a water jug. Elango, though weary from a long day, smiled warmly and gestured towards his workshop. "Come in, friend," he said, his voice gentle. "Let us find the perfect jug for you." Meanwhile, another villager, a farmer named Arul, also needed a pot. He approached Elango, but the potter, tired and distracted, grunted a curt reply. He pointed dismissively at a stack of unfinished pots. The merchant, charmed by Elango's kindness, soon found a jug he loved. He paid generously, thanking the potter for his warmth. Arul, however, left empty-handed, his heart heavy. He felt unseen and unimportant. Later, the merchant’s jug, filled with cool water, tasted sweeter. The water from Arul’s well, drawn in his own rough earthenware, felt bitter, even though both were from the same source.