Kural #998
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Tamil text
நண்பாற்றார் ஆகி நயமில செய்வார்க்கும்
பண்பாற்றார் ஆதல் கடை
Naṇpāṟṟār āki nayamila ceyvārkkum
Paṇpāṟṟār ātal kaṭai
English translation
It is utterly base to be discourteous even to those who are unfriendly and do unjust things.
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Explanation
Even when dealing with unfriendly and unfair people, one should not abandon courtesy. Losing one's good character in response to others' bad behavior is the lowest form of conduct.
விளக்கம்
பண்பில்லாதவர், தீமை செய்பவர்க்கும் பண்போடு நடப்பது முக்கியம். நம் நல்ல குணத்தை விட்டுக்கொடுப்பது மிகத் தாழ்ந்த செயல். பண்புடைமை அதிகாரத்தில், இது மிக முக்கியமான நீதி.
Word meanings
- நண்புnaṇpufriendship
- ஆற்றார்āṟṟārthose incapable of
- ஆகிākibeing
- நயம்nayamjustice/fairness
- இலilawithout
- செய்வார்க்கும்ceyvārkkumeven to those who do
- பண்புpaṇpucourtesy
- ஆதல்ātalbeing without
- கடைkaṭailowest/basest
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his generous spirit, always offering help and a kind word. Bala, however, was often bitter, especially when his crops failed. One harsh season, Bala’s harvest withered, while Arun’s flourished. Resentment clouded Bala’s heart. He spread rumors, accusing Arun of stealing water. He even damaged Arun's irrigation channels in the dead of night. When Arun discovered the damage, his neighbors urged him to retaliate. "Show him the same unkindness!" they urged. But Arun simply smiled and, instead of anger, he repaired the channels. He even offered Bala a portion of his harvest, despite the other farmer's cruel actions. Bala, witnessing Arun's consistent kindness, was deeply ashamed. He confessed his actions and begged for forgiveness. From that day on, Bala became a changed man, learning a valuable lesson in the face of adversity.