Kural #95
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Tamil text
பணிவுடையன் இன்சொலன் ஆதல் ஒருவற்கு
அணியல்ல மற்றுப் பிற
Paṇivuṭaiyaṉ iṉcolaṉ ātal oruvaṟku
Aṇiyalla maṟṟup piṟa
English translation
Humility and sweet speech are the true ornaments of a person; all other ornaments are not real adornments.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar contrasts inner virtues with external decorations. Gold and jewels are not true ornaments - humility (பணிவு) and pleasant speech (இன்சொல்) are. These virtues enhance one's character far more than any material adornment. This teaching remains profoundly relevant today.
விளக்கம்
பணிவும் இனிமையான சொல்லும் ஒருவருக்கு உண்மையான அழகு. இனியவை கூறல் அதிகாரத்தில், புற அழகு நிலையானது அல்ல, நல்ல குணங்களே சிறந்தது என்கிறார் திருவள்ளுவர். இதுவே சிறந்த அணிகலன்.
Word meanings
- பணிவுpaṇivuhumility
- உடையன்uṭaiyaṉone who possesses
- இன்சொலன்iṉcolaṉone who speaks sweetly
- ஆதல்ātalbeing/becoming
- ஒருவற்குoruvaṟkufor a person
- அணிaṇiornament
- அல்லallaare not
- மற்றுmaṟṟuother
- பிறpiṟathings
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering river lived two young women, Maya and Priya. Maya, adorned with glittering jewels and silken robes, often spoke with a sharp tongue, demanding service and boasting of her family's wealth. Priya, however, wore simple cotton and possessed a gentle voice. She offered help to anyone in need, always speaking kindly. One day, a severe drought struck the village. The river dwindled, and crops withered. Maya, accustomed to getting her way, stormed into the village elder's hut, demanding water for her family's fields. Her harsh words only earned her frustrated stares. Priya, on the other hand, approached the elder with a humble bow, offering to help distribute the meager water supply fairly. She spoke words of comfort and hope. When the rains finally returned, the villagers celebrated. Maya's fields remained barren, for she had made no friends. Priya's, however, flourished, nourished by both the rain and the goodwill of the community.