Kural #932
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Tamil text
ஒன்றெய்தி நூறிழக்கும் சூதர்க்கும்
உண்டாங்கொல் நன்றெய்தி வாழ்வதோர் ஆறு
Oṉṟeyti nūṟiḻakkum cūtarkkum
Uṇṭāṅkol naṉṟeyti vāḻvatōr āṟu
English translation
Is there any way for gamblers, who gain one but lose a hundred, to prosper and live well?
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Explanation
A rhetorical question: can gamblers (சூதர்), who gain a little (ஒன்று எய்தி) but lose much more (நூறு இழக்கும்), ever achieve prosperity? The math of gambling always favors loss.
விளக்கம்
சூதாடுபவர் ஒன்று வென்று நூறு தோற்பர். சூதாட்டத்தில் நல்லது நடந்து வாழ வழி உண்டா? சூது செல்வத்தை அழிக்கும்; துன்பம் தரும். சூதை விட்டொழிப்பதே நன்று.
Word meanings
- ஒன்றுoṉṟuone
- எய்திeytigaining
- நூறுnūṟuhundred
- இழக்கும்iḻakkumlosing
- சூதர்க்கும்cūtarkkumeven for gamblers
- உண்டாங்கொல்uṇṭāṅkolis there?
- நன்றுnaṉṟugoodness/prosperity
- வாழ்வதுvāḻvatuliving
- ஆறுāṟuway
Story behind this kural
In a bustling village, lived a farmer named Arul. He was known for his steady work and modest success. One day, a traveling merchant arrived, displaying a game of chance. Arul, tempted by the promise of quick riches, wagered a portion of his harvest. He won a small prize! Encouraged, he bet again, and again, each time winning a little. Soon, Arul became consumed. He sold his tools, his livestock, and then his land, chasing the fleeting wins. Each small victory fueled his reckless betting. He'd gain a few coins, only to lose far more. The merchant, with a sly smile, always had another game. Finally, Arul was left with nothing, his house empty, his fields barren. He looked back at his former life, the honest toil, the steady gains, and felt a deep sorrow. He had exchanged a life of sure but slow growth for the illusion of a quick fortune. He realized too late what he had truly lost.