Kural #962
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Tamil text
சீரினும் சீரல்ல செய்யாரே
சீரொடு பேராண்மை வேண்டு பவர்
Cīriṉum cīralla ceyyārē
Cīroṭu pērāṇmai vēṇṭu pavar
English translation
Those who desire fame with great courage will not do dishonorable acts even for glory.
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Explanation
Those who seek சீர் (fame) along with பேராண்மை (great valor/courage) will never do சீரல்ல (dishonorable acts), even if such acts might bring glory. Means matter as much as ends.
விளக்கம்
மானம் பெரிதெனக் கருதுவோர், புகழ் வேண்டுமென்றாலும் இழிவான செயல்களைச் செய்ய மாட்டார்கள். வீரமும் புகழும் சேர்ந்தே வேண்டுமென்போர், தவறான வழியில் கீர்த்தியைத் தேட மாட்டார்கள். நல்வழியில் புகழைப் பெற முயல்வதே மானம் காக்கும் வழி.
Word meanings
- சீரினும்cīriṉumeven for fame
- சீர்cīrhonor/fame
- அல்லallanot
- செய்யார்ceyyārwill not do
- ஏēindeed
- ஒடுoṭuwith
- பேராண்மைpērāṇmaigreat courage
- வேண்டுபவர்vēṇṭupavarthose who desire
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a shimmering lake lived two fishermen, Arul and Kumar. Both were known for their skill, but Arul craved recognition above all else. One day, a royal decree promised great wealth to the fisherman who caught the largest fish. Arul, desperate for glory, learned of a secret cove where fish grew enormous, but the cove belonged to the sacred water spirit, and fishing there was forbidden. Kumar, however, knew the rules and respected the spirit. Arul, ignoring the warnings, snuck into the cove. He returned with a magnificent fish, hailed as a champion. The king showered him with riches and praise. Kumar, though he had fished honorably and caught less, found peace in the quiet appreciation of his own village. Arul, though wealthy, found the villagers whispering. Their admiration was tainted with a knowing shame. The lake, once a place of livelihood for both, now silently judged Arul's victory. He had gained much, but at what cost?