Kural Chronicles

KURAL 125

ARATHUPAAL

ILLARA IYAL

ADHIKAARAM 13: ADAKKAM UDAIMAI – POSSESSION OF HUMILITY

எல்லார்க்கும் நன்றாம் பணிதல் அவருள்ளும்
செல்வர்க்கே செல்வம் தகைத்து.

Ellaarkum nanraam panithal avarullum

Selvarkae Selvam thagaithu

Being humble is good for everyone. For the rich though, humility is a wealth in itself added to their other riches.

Ellaarkum: For everyone;  Nanru: good;  panithal: being humble;  Avarullum: of those;  Selvar: wealthy;  Selvam: wealth;  thagaithu: get

What is humility? Webster’s dictionary says it is freedom from pride or arrogance. Humility is often mistaken for meekness. HUMILITY IS NOT MEEKNESS. It is not thinking less of yourself. It is not thinking of the other person with awe. Humility is knowing your self worth, being confident about yourself but at the same time not thinking you are better than the next person.

Every person, rich or poor, needs to be humble. Just as humility is mistaken for meekness, confidence is mistaken for arrogance. When a person is poor, it is immediately assumed that they have to be meek. Just because you are not rich, it doesn’t mean you should not be confident. The poor need to be sure of themselves but be respectful of the other person.

The rich, on the other hand, need to realize they are better off financially but that does not mean they are better humans in any way. If they can remember that; if they can treat every person rich or poor, with respect; if they can give a ear to what everyone has to say without looking down on anyone, they are the truly wealthy ones.

If I were to give an example of a rich man having the wealth of humility added to his extraordinary riches, the name that first comes to mind today is Shri. Ratan Tata. There are any number of billionaires in the world today. What makes Mr.Tata special? Its hands down his humble and modest nature. It is his ability to treat all men equally. It is what distinguishes him and makes him a role model every youngster should aspire to emulate.