Kural #954
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Tamil text
அடுக்கிய கோடி பெறினும்
குடிப்பிறந்தார் குன்றுவ செய்தல் இலர்
Aṭukkiya kōṭi peṟiṉum
Kuṭippiṟantār kuṉṟuva ceytal ilar
English translation
Even if offered crores upon crores, those of noble birth will not do degrading acts.
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Explanation
Noble-born persons (குடிப் பிறந்தார்) will never do degrading acts (குன்றுவ செய்தல் இலர்) even for vast wealth (அடுக்கிய கோடி). Integrity is non-negotiable.
விளக்கம்
குடிப்பிறந்தோர் கோடி பொருள் தந்தாலும் தாழ்வான செயல்களைச் செய்யார். குடிமை என்பது உயர்ந்த ஒழுக்கம். மானம் பெரிதென வாழ்வதே சிறப்பு.
Word meanings
- அடுக்கியaṭukkiyapiled up/accumulated
- கோடிkōṭicrore/ten million
- பெறினும்peṟiṉumeven if obtaining
- குடிkuṭinoble family
- பிறந்தார்piṟantārthose born
- குன்றுவkuṉṟuvadegrading things
- செய்தல்ceytaldoing
- இலர்ilarwill not
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a shimmering river, lived a wealthy merchant named Arun. He owned vast lands and traded in precious jewels. One day, a wicked sorcerer approached Arun, offering him a secret: a magical gem that could turn common stones into gold. In exchange, the sorcerer demanded Arun's honesty, his reputation for fairness. Arun, already rich, considered the offer. He could become even wealthier! He imagined grander houses and finer clothes. But as he looked at the sorcerer's shifty eyes, he thought of his ancestors, known for their unwavering integrity. He remembered the villagers who trusted him, the partners who relied on his word. Arun politely refused the sorcerer's offer, choosing to remain true to himself. The sorcerer vanished in a puff of smoke, muttering curses. Arun continued his life, his wealth remained, but his honor shone even brighter. The villagers respected him more than ever.