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Chapter 51 of 133Wealth

தெரிந்து தெளிதல்

Selection and Confidence

Read all ten original Tamil couplets from this chapter with clear, modern interpretations for everyday learning.

Kurals

501510

Reading

10 couplets

Section

பொருட்பால்

A simple reading path

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Tamil + modern meaning

Kural 501

1 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

அறம்பொருள் இன்பம் உயிரச்சம் நான்கின்

திறந்தெரிந்து தேறப் படும்.

Modern interpretation

Choose a leader after seeing how they handle honesty, money, temptation, and danger. For example, before making someone a team captain, notice whether they stay fair when they could profit or escape blame.

Read Kural 501 in full

Kural 502

2 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

குடிப்பிறந்து குற்றத்தின் நீங்கி வடுப்பரியும்

நாணுடையான் சுட்டே தெளிவு.

Modern interpretation

Trust someone who has a good reputation, avoids wrongdoing, and feels ashamed to harm others. For example, choose a club treasurer who is careful with shared money and admits mistakes.

Read Kural 502 in full

Kural 503

3 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

அரியகற்று ஆசற்றார் கண்ணும் தெரியுங்கால்

இன்மை அரிதே வெளிறு.

Modern interpretation

Even a highly educated person can still have blind spots. For example, a top student should still ask questions and accept feedback before leading a difficult project.

Read Kural 503 in full

Kural 504

4 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

குணம்நாடிக் குற்றமும் நாடி அவற்றுள்

மிகைநாடி மிக்க கொளல்.

Modern interpretation

Judge a person by both their strengths and their faults, then see which side is stronger. For example, when choosing a project partner, look beyond charm and notice whether their reliable habits outweigh their careless ones.

Read Kural 504 in full

Kural 505

5 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

பெருமைக்கும் ஏனைச் சிறுமைக்கும் தத்தம்

கருமமே கட்டளைக் கல்.

Modern interpretation

A person’s actions reveal their real character more clearly than their image or words. For example, someone who quietly helps a teammate under pressure shows more than someone who only talks about being kind.

Read Kural 505 in full

Kural 506

6 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

அற்றாரைத் தேறுதல் ஓம்புக மற்றவர்

பற்றிலர் நாணார் பழி.

Modern interpretation

Be careful about giving power to someone who feels no responsibility to others or to their own reputation. For example, a group should not hand its shared funds to a person who thinks no one can hold them accountable.

Read Kural 506 in full

Kural 507

7 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

காதன்மை கந்தா அறிவறியார்த் தேறுதல்

பேதைமை எல்லாந் தரும்.

Modern interpretation

Do not give an important role to someone who lacks the needed understanding just because you care about them. For example, choose the friend who knows how to manage the event, not the friend you feel closest to.

Read Kural 507 in full

Kural 508

8 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

தேரான் பிறனைத் தெளிந்தான் வழிமுறை

தீரா இடும்பை தரும்.

Modern interpretation

Choosing someone without checking their character can create trouble for many people, even in the future. For example, hiring a person without checking their record can leave an entire team dealing with the damage.

Read Kural 508 in full

Kural 509

9 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

தே றற்க யாரையும் தேராது தேர்ந்தபின்

தேறுக தேறும் பொருள்.

Modern interpretation

Do not trust people without examining them first; once you have examined someone carefully, trust them in the role that fits them. For example, after checking a volunteer’s skills, let them lead the part of the event they can handle best.

Read Kural 509 in full

Kural 510

10 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

தேரான் தெளிவும் தெளிந்தான்கண் ஐயுறவும்

தீரா இடும்பை தரும்.

Modern interpretation

Choosing someone without checking them and then doubting someone you have checked both cause lasting trouble. For example, a manager who hires carelessly and second-guesses every capable worker will damage the whole team.

Read Kural 510 in full