Kural #961
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Tamil text
இன்றி அமையாச் சிறப்பின ஆயினும்
குன்ற வருப விடல்
Iṉṟi amaiyāc ciṟappiṉa āyiṉum
Kuṉṟa varupa viṭal
English translation
Even things of indispensable excellence should be abandoned if they diminish one's honor.
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Explanation
Honor (மானம்) surpasses all other values. Even essential and excellent things (இன்றி அமையாச் சிறப்பின) should be abandoned (விடல்) if they cause one's honor to diminish (குன்ற வருப).
விளக்கம்
மானம் மிக முக்கியம். தவிர்க்க முடியாத, சிறந்த விஷயமானாலும், அது மானத்தைக் குறைத்தால் விட்டுவிட வேண்டும். மானம் அதிகாரத்தின் முக்கியம். மானம் காப்பதே சிறப்பு.
Word meanings
- இன்றிiṉṟiwithout
- அமையாamaiyānot able to manage
- சிறப்பினciṟappiṉaexcellent things
- ஆயினும்āyiṉumeven if
- குன்றkuṉṟato diminish
- வருபvarupacausing
- விடல்viṭalabandon
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a humble potter named Kumar. His clay pots were renowned throughout the land for their beauty and durability. The King himself often commissioned Kumar’s work. One harsh winter, the village faced famine. The King offered a deal: Kumar could create a special, ornate vase for the royal palace, in exchange for a large supply of grain, enough to feed his family for months. However, the King demanded Kumar use a new, secret glaze that would require him to compromise his artistic integrity. It would make the vase beautiful but would also require Kumar to falsely claim it was his own invention. Kumar’s wife pleaded with him to accept. "Think of the food, the warmth!" she cried. But Kumar hesitated. He knew the cost of the King's offer. After a long night, Kumar politely declined the King's offer and chose to keep his artistic integrity. He worked hard and eventually sold his pots at the market. Kumar and his family had enough to survive.