Kural #957
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Tamil text
குடிப்பிறந்தார் கண்விளங்கும் குற்றம்
விசும்பின் மதிக்கண் மறுப்போல் உயர்ந்து
Kuṭippiṟantār kaṇviḷaṅkum kuṟṟam
Vicumpiṉ matikkaṇ maṟuppōl uyarntu
English translation
A fault in one of noble birth shows prominently, like the dark spot on the moon in the sky.
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Explanation
A beautiful simile: just as the moon's blemish (மறு) is visible because of its height and brightness, faults in noble-born (குடிப் பிறந்தார்) become highly visible (விளங்கும்). Excellence demands perfection.
விளக்கம்
குடிப்பிறந்தாரிடம் சிறு தவறு இருந்தாலும், அது ஆகாயத்தில் தெரியும் நிலவின் கறை போல பெரிதாகத் தெரியும். குடிமை அதிகாரத்தில், உயர்ந்த குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தவர்கள் குறைவில்லாமல் இருக்க வேண்டும் என்பதே இதன் நீதி. சிறு குறை கூடப் பெரிதாகத் தெரியும்.
Word meanings
- குடிkuṭinoble family
- பிறந்தார்piṟantārthose born
- கண்kaṇin
- விளங்கும்viḷaṅkumshines/shows
- குற்றம்kuṟṟamfault
- விசும்பின்vicumpiṉin the sky
- மதிmatimoon
- மறுmaṟuspot/blemish
- போல்pōllike
- உயர்ந்துuyarnturising/elevated
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a shimmering lake, lived two potters, Arun and Bala. Arun, from a lineage known for crafting flawless vessels, was admired throughout the land. Bala, though skilled, came from a humbler background. One day, Arun presented a magnificent water jug to the King. Its form was perfect, save for a tiny crack near the handle. The King, known for his sharp eye, noticed it instantly. Disappointed, he praised the overall craftsmanship but remarked on the flaw. Bala, later presenting his own jug, had a few imperfections, yet the King focused more on its overall functionality, even offering constructive criticism on how to improve. The villagers whispered amongst themselves. They said Arun's single fault was now more talked about than Bala's many. The difference in their origins, and the expectations that came with them, were plain to see.