Kural #972
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Tamil text
பிறப்பொக்கும் எல்லா உயிர்க்கும்
சிறப்பொவ்வா செய்தொழில் வேற்றுமை யான்
Piṟappokkum ellā uyirkkum
Ciṟappovvā ceytotoḻil vēṟṟumai yāṉ
English translation
By birth, all beings are equal; differences in greatness arise only from the nature of one's actions.
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Explanation
This revolutionary kural declares that all humans are equal by birth. What distinguishes people is not their origin but their deeds. This is a powerful statement of equality that transcends caste, class, and status - the true hallmark of Thiruvalluvar's humanism.
விளக்கம்
பிறக்கும்போது எல்லாரும் சமம். செய்யும் செயல்தான் பெருமையைத் தரும். நல்ல செயல்களால் உயர்வு பெறலாம். இது பெருமை அதிகாரத்தில் உள்ளது.
Word meanings
- பிறப்புpiṟappubirth
- ஒக்கும்okkumis equal
- எல்லாellāall
- உயிர்க்கும்uyirkkumfor all beings
- சிறப்புciṟappugreatness/distinction
- ஒவ்வாovvāis not equal
- செய்தொழில்ceytotoḻilthe work/deeds done
- வேற்றுமையான்vēṟṟumaiyāṉdue to differences in
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two potters, Arun and Bala. Arun was born into a wealthy family, his father a renowned craftsman. Bala, however, came from humble beginnings, orphaned at a young age. Arun, despite his advantages, often boasted of his superior clay and finer tools. His pots, though ornate, were often poorly fired and cracked easily. Bala, using simple tools and ordinary clay, poured his heart into his work. He crafted strong, elegant vessels, each one perfectly formed. The villagers preferred Bala's pots. They held water without leaking and lasted for years. Arun's pots, though beautiful to look at, were quickly discarded. Eventually, Arun's customers dwindled, while Bala's reputation grew. People from distant villages came to buy his pottery, admiring the beauty and strength he created.