Kural #993
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
உறுப்பொத்தல் மக்களொப்பு அன்றால்
வெறுத்தக்க பண்பொத்தல் ஒப்பதாம் ஒப்பு
Uṟuppottal makkaḷoppu aṉṟāl
Veṟuttakka paṇpottal oppatām oppu
English translation
Similarity of limbs does not make humans equal; true equality is having equally admirable character.
Listen
Explanation
Having the same physical form does not make people truly human equals. What makes people equal is possessing equally worthy character (பண்பு). This defines humanity by virtue, not biology.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 993 விளக்கம்: உடல் அமைப்பு ஒன்றுபோல் இருப்பது மனிதர்களைச் சமமாக்காது. எல்லோரும் நல்ல குணங்களை உடையவர்களாக இருந்தால் அதுவே உண்மையான சமத்துவம். பண்புடைமை அதிகாரத்தின்படி, நல்ல குணங்களே மனிதத்தை உயர்த்தும்.
Word meanings
- உறுப்புuṟuppulimbs/body parts
- ஒத்தல்ottalbeing similar
- மக்கள்makkaḷhumans
- ஒப்புoppuequality
- அன்றுaṉṟuis not
- வெறுத்தக்கveṟuttakkaadmirable
- பண்புpaṇpucharacter
- ஒப்பதாம்oppatāmis true equality
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two brothers, identical in every way. They shared the same face, the same build, the same booming laugh. Yet, their hearts were vastly different. The elder, Kaanan, was known for his sharp tongue and selfish ways. He hoarded his wealth, sneered at the less fortunate, and treated everyone with disdain. The younger, Arul, was the opposite. He was kind, generous, and always ready to lend a helping hand. He shared his meager possessions, offered comfort to the grieving, and greeted everyone with a warm smile. One day, a terrible storm ravaged the village. Houses were destroyed, and crops were ruined. While Kaanan remained safely within his sturdy home, clutching his valuables, Arul was out in the storm, helping others rebuild, sharing his food and shelter with those in need. When the storm passed, it was Arul who was celebrated. Despite their identical appearances, the villagers saw in Arul a true likeness to themselves, a reflection of their shared humanity.