Kural #985
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Tamil text
ஆற்றுவார் ஆற்றல் பணிதல்
அதுசான்றோர் மாற்றாரை மாற்றும் படை
Āṟṟuvār āṟṟal paṇital
Atucāṉṟōr māṟṟārai māṟṟum paṭai
English translation
The strength of the strong lies in humility; this is the weapon by which the noble transform their enemies.
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Explanation
True power is not aggression but humility. The noble conquer enemies not through force but through gracious conduct that transforms opponents into friends. Humility is the ultimate weapon of the great.
விளக்கம்
ஆற்றல் உள்ளவர் பணிவாக இருப்பது சிறப்பு. அதுவே சான்றோரின் குணம். பகைவரையும் நண்பராக்கும் சிறந்த ஆயுதம் பணிவு. சான்றாண்மை அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- ஆற்றுவார்āṟṟuvārthose who are capable
- ஆற்றல்āṟṟalstrength/power
- பணிதல்paṇitalbeing humble
- அதுatuthat
- சான்றோர்cāṉṟōrthe noble
- மாற்றாரைmāṟṟāraienemies
- மாற்றும்māṟṟumtransforms
- படைpaṭaiweapon
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a vast forest lived two woodcutters, Arun and Bala. Arun was strong and quick to anger, boasting of his mighty axe and the trees he felled. Bala, though equally skilled, was gentle and humble. One day, a dispute arose over a shared boundary. Arun, fueled by pride, stormed into Bala's clearing, shouting threats. He demanded the best timber, his face contorted with rage. Bala, instead of arguing, simply smiled and offered Arun water. He praised Arun's strength, acknowledging his skill. He spoke softly, suggesting they share the wood from both their areas. Arun, expecting a fight, was disarmed by Bala’s calmness. The anger drained from him, replaced by shame. They worked together, and soon became friends. Arun learned that true strength was not about domination, but about understanding.