Kural #988
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Tamil text
இன்மை ஒருவற்கு இளிவன்று
சால்பென்னும் திண்மையுண் டாகப் பெறின்
Iṉmai oruvaṟku iḷivaṉṟu
Cālpeṉṉum tiṇmaiyuṇ ṭākap peṟiṉ
English translation
Poverty is no disgrace to one who possesses the firm strength of noble character.
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Explanation
Material poverty does not diminish a person of genuine nobility. The inner strength (திண்மை) of character is the true wealth. Those with noble character maintain their dignity regardless of financial circumstances.
விளக்கம்
வறுமை ஒருத்தருக்கு இழுக்கு இல்லை. சான்றாண்மை என்னும் நல்ல குணம் உறுதியா இருந்தா போதும். பொருள் இல்லாவிட்டாலும், ஒழுக்கம் இருந்தா மதிப்பு குறையாது. சான்றாண்மை அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- இன்மைiṉmaipoverty/lack
- ஒருவற்குoruvaṟkufor a person
- இளிவுiḷivudisgrace
- அன்றுaṉṟuis not
- சால்புcālpunobility
- என்னும்eṉṉumcalled
- திண்மைtiṇmaifirmness/strength
- உண்டாகuṇṭākaexisting
- பெறின்peṟiṉif obtained
Story behind this kural
In a humble village nestled beside a whispering river lived Elara, a woman known for her kindness. Though her home was small and her fields yielded little, she always shared what she had. A traveling merchant, witnessing her generosity, scoffed, "Your poverty shames you! How can you give when you have so little?" Elara simply smiled and offered him water. The merchant, wealthy but miserly, refused, complaining about the heat and the dusty road. Later, a storm swept through the village, destroying homes. Elara, despite her own loss, comforted her neighbors, sharing her meager food and offering shelter. The merchant, however, hoarded his goods, fearing further loss. When the storm passed, the villagers rebuilt, their spirits unbroken. The merchant, still guarding his possessions, was alone and miserable. Elara, though still poor, stood among her neighbors, her heart full, her smile as bright as the morning sun.