Kural #978
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Tamil text
பணியுமாம் என்றும் பெருமை
சிறுமை அணியுமாம் தன்னை வியந்து
Paṇiyumām eṉṟum perumai
Ciṟumai aṇiyumām taṉṉai viyantu
English translation
Greatness always bows humbly; pettiness adorns itself with self-admiration.
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Explanation
A profound observation on human nature: truly great people are humble and bow before others. In contrast, small-minded people are full of self-praise and arrogance. Humility is the ornament of the great; vanity marks the petty.
விளக்கம்
பெரிய குணம் உள்ளவர் பணிவாக இருப்பார். சிறிய குணம் உள்ளவர் தன்னைத்தானே புகழ்ந்து கொள்வார். பெருமை அதிகாரத்தில், பணிவு உயர்வான குணம் என வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். அடக்கமே பெருமைக்கு அழகு.
Word meanings
- பணியும்paṇiyumwill bow
- ஆம்āmindeed
- என்றும்eṉṟumalways
- பெருமைperumaigreatness
- சிறுமைciṟumaipettiness
- அணியும்aṇiyumadorns
- ஆம்āmindeed
- தன்னைtaṉṉaioneself
- வியந்துviyantuadmiring/praising
Story behind this kural
In a valley village, lived two potters. Old Kumar was renowned. His pots were strong and elegant, his heart kind. Young Ravi, however, boasted of his skill, his pots often cracked, yet he'd exclaim their beauty. One day, the King visited. Kumar presented his finest work, a simple water jug. He bowed low, eyes averted. Ravi, on the other hand, strutted forward, displaying a gaudy, chipped vase, chattering about its intricate design. The King chose Kumar's jug. "This," he declared, "is a vessel fit for a king." He then gifted Kumar with gold. Ravi, crestfallen, grumbled about unfairness. He had expected to be showered with praise. Kumar, later, shared his gold with the village, building a new well. Ravi, clutching his few coins, spent them on trinkets to adorn his workshop, still convinced of his unmatched talent. The villagers, however, preferred Kumar's humble service.