Tirukkural-On Virtue-On Being Grateful-Kural 110

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There may be salvation for those who have killed all other virtues,
But not for the one who has killed gratitude.

Of all the soul-destroying sins, ingratitude is the very worst, according to Valluvar.

It was this feeling that made Caesar exclaim, when he saw his dearest friend Brutus stab him, at the foot of Pomepei's statue 'Et tu Brute'. Shakespeare has elaborated this sentiment more fully in the following poetic passage in 'As You Like It'.

'Blow, blow, thou winter wind
Thou art not so unkind
As man's ingratitude'.

The expression 'Ennanri Konraarkkum' is explained by Parimelalagar, as those who have interfered with the acknowledged great virtues. To bring out his meaning, he cites Purananuru 34, which is as follows:

Aaan mulaiyarutha aranilaarkum
Maanizai magalir karuchidaithoarkkum
Kuravar thappiya kodumai yoarkkum
Valuvaai marungkir kaluvaayu mulavaena
Nilampudai paeyarvadhaayinum oruvan
Seidhi konraarkku uythiyillena
Aram paaditrae aayizai kanava

The idea in the passage is that there is forgiveness for all the big sins of the world, except for ingratitude. This view of Valluvar has been endorsed in the above stanza, directly quoting Kural as 'Aram', by the poet of Purananuru, Alathur Kizhar. This fact incidentally places the date of Tirukkural before this poem of Purananuru (1st Century A.D.) at any rate. Silappathikarm also says 'Kollanmin'.