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Kural #952

Wealth· பொருள்Nobility· குடிமை

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Tamil text

ஒழுக்கமும் வாய்மையும் நாணும்இம்

மூன்றும் இழுக்கார் குடிப்பிறந் தார்

Oḻukkamum vāymaiyum nāṇumim

Mūṉṟum iḻukkār kuṭippiṟan tār

English translation

Those born in noble families never fail in three things: conduct, truthfulness, and modesty.

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Explanation

Three marks of nobility: ஒழுக்கம் (good conduct), வாய்மை (truthfulness), and நாண் (modesty). Those of noble birth (குடிப் பிறந்தார்) never falter (இழுக்கார்) in these.

விளக்கம்

குடிப்பிறந்தோர் ஒழுக்கம், உண்மை, நாணம் இம்மூன்றையும் விடமாட்டார். "குடிமை" அதிகாரத்தில், உயர்ந்த குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தவர்கள் தவறாமல் கடைப்பிடிக்க வேண்டிய குணங்களை இது கூறுகிறது. நல்லொழுக்கமே பெருமை சேர்க்கும்.

Word meanings

  • ஒழுக்கம்oḻukkamconduct/ethics
  • வாய்மைvāymaitruthfulness
  • நாண்nāṇmodesty
  • இம்imthese
  • மூன்றும்mūṉṟumthree
  • இழுக்கார்iḻukkārwill not fail
  • குடிkuṭinoble family
  • பிறந்தார்piṟantārthose born

Story behind this kural

In a quiet village nestled beside a shimmering river, lived a young potter named Arun. His family had crafted exquisite clay vessels for generations, known throughout the land for their beauty. One day, a wealthy merchant offered Arun a large sum for a set of bowls, but insisted Arun use a cheaper, inferior clay. Arun knew the lesser clay would make the bowls crack easily. Though the money was tempting, he refused, explaining that his family’s honor lay in the quality of their work. The merchant scoffed and left. Later, a different customer, a humble farmer, admired Arun's craftsmanship and asked for a single pot. Arun, knowing the farmer could barely afford it, offered it at a reduced price, and even helped carry it to the farmer's home. Word of Arun's integrity spread. Soon, everyone sought his pottery. His business flourished, built not on deceit or greed, but on honest work and a genuine care for others.