PrepMaticThirukkural · பொருட்பால் · நட்பியல்
பேதைமை: Folly
About this chapter
பேதைமை, folly, is the first of two chapters on the fool. Its fool is not short of intelligence so much as someone who acts against his own interest and will not learn.
Kural 831 defines folly as taking on loss and letting gain go. Kural 832 calls the greatest folly the love of acts that do not suit one's station, and Kural 833 lists the fool's marks: shamelessness, not seeking what is worth seeking, harshness and indifference to everything good. Kural 834 is the chapter's central point, saying that the person who learns, understands and teaches others but does not control himself is the greatest fool of all. Kural 835 uses the idea of seven births (எழுமை) to say that a fool can make a hell in a single life. Kural 836 says the fool fails at a task he knows nothing about and binds himself in fetters. Kurals 837 and 838 look at what wealth does to such a person: strangers feast while kin starve, and a fool who comes into money is like someone already giddy who is also drunk. Kural 839 says the friendship of fools is delightful, because parting costs nothing. Kural 840 ends with a vivid image of the fool in an assembly of the learned as a person with unwashed feet on a bed.
Kural 834 is the one to remember, for its test of whether knowledge is practised.
For the syllabus, it fits universal values, especially self-discipline.
The 10 kurals of பேதைமை
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
பேதைமை என்பதொன்று யாதெனின் ஏதங்கொண்டு
ஊதியம் போக விடல்.
Pedhaimai Enpadhondru Yaadhenin Edhangontu
Oodhiyam Poka Vital
What one thing merits folly's special name.Letting gain go, loss for one's own to claim
பேதைமையுள் எல்லாம் பேதைமை காதன்மை
கையல்ல தன்கட் செயல்.
Pedhaimaiyul Ellaam Pedhaimai Kaadhanmai
Kaiyalla Thankat Seyal
'Mid follies chiefest folly is to fix your loveOn deeds which to your station unbefitting prove
நாணாமை நாடாமை நாரின்மை யாதொன்றும்
பேணாமை பேதை தொழில்
Naanaamai Naataamai Naarinmai Yaadhondrum
Penaamai Pedhai Thozhil
Ashamed of nothing, searching nothing out, of loveless heart, Nought cherishing, 'tis thus the fool will play his part
ஓதி உணர்ந்தும் பிறர்க்குரைத்தும் தானடங்காப்
பேதையின் பேதையார் இல்.
Odhi Unarndhum Pirarkkuraiththum Thaanatangaap
Pedhaiyin Pedhaiyaar Il
The sacred law he reads and learns, to other men expounds,-Himself obeys not; where can greater fool be found
ஒருமைச் செயலாற்றும் பேதை எழுமையும்
தான்புக் கழுந்தும் அளறு.
Orumaich Cheyalaatrum Pedhai Ezhumaiyum
Thaanpuk Kazhundhum Alaru
The fool will merit hell in one brief life on earth, In which he entering sinks through sevenfold round of birth
பொய்படும் ஒன்றோ புனைபூணும் கையறியாப்
பேதை வினைமேற் கொளின்.
Poipatum Ondro Punaipoonum Kaiyariyaap
Pedhai Vinaimer Kolin
When fool some task attempts with uninstructed pains, It fails; nor that alone, himself he binds with chains
ஏதிலார் ஆரத் தமர்பசிப்பர் பேதை
பெருஞ்செல்வம் உற்றக் கடை.
Edhilaar Aarath Thamarpasippar Pedhai
Perunjelvam Utrak Katai
When fools are blessed with fortune's bounteous store, Their foes feed full, their friends are prey to hunger sore
மையல் ஒருவன் களித்தற்றால் பேதைதன்
கையொன்று உடைமை பெறின்.
Maiyal Oruvan Kaliththatraal Pedhaidhan
Kaiyondru Utaimai Perin
When folly's hand grasps wealth's increase, 'twill beAs when a mad man raves in drunken glee
பெரிதினிது பேதையார் கேண்மை பிரிவின்கண்
பீழை தருவதொன் றில்.
Peridhinidhu Pedhaiyaar Kenmai Pirivinkan
Peezhai Tharuvadhon Ril
Friendship of fools is very pleasant thing, Parting with them will leave behind no sting
கழாஅக்கால் பள்ளியுள் வைத்தற்றால் சான்றோர்
குழாஅத்துப் பேதை புகல்.
Kazhaaakkaal Palliyul Vaiththatraal Saandror
Kuzhaaaththup Pedhai Pukal
Like him who seeks his couch with unwashed feet, Is fool whose foot intrudes where wise men meet
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