Thirukkural Week 4
- Kavitha
- 20 hours ago
- 2 min read
๐๐๐ฏ๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฅ๐ข๐ค๐๐ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐จ๐ง๐โฆ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ฆ?
A few years ago, a new member was joining my team. Many of my teammates had worked with him before, and the moment his name came up, the warnings began:
Negative stories.
Unpleasant experiences.
โBe careful with him.โ
Within minutes, he was painted as a villain I had never even spoken to.
Though I was initially swayed, I took a step back and thought about how I had been judged unfairly in the past, labeled without a chance to show who I really was. Over the years, I have realized that the narrative often decides whether you are cast as the antagonist or the protagonist of the story.
The truth is, it takes just a few words to destroy someoneโs reputation.
I wasnโt upset with those who shared their experiences, because their dynamics with him might have been tough. But their story didnโt have to become mine.
So I consciously decided not to be prejudiced. I told myself:
1. He may not be the same person he used to be.
2. His behaviour with others does not predict his behaviour with me.
3. I knew only one side of the story.
Then, we worked together for a few years, and surprisingly, we got along quite well. No major conflicts. Just a professional working relationship that was far better than what I had been warned about.
I am glad I stayed neutral. It allowed me to form a fresh perspective, based on firsthand experience, and not secondhand judgments.
This is exactly what Thiruvalluvar says in Kural 423:
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ค - ๐๐๐๐ค ๐
เฎเฎชเฏเฎชเฏเฎฐเฏเฎณเฏ เฎฏเฎพเฎฐเฏเฎฏเฎพเฎฐเฏเฎตเฎพเฎฏเฏเฎเฏ เฎเฏเฎเฏเฎชเฎฟเฎฉเฏเฎฎเฏ เฎ เฎชเฏเฎชเฏเฎฐเฏเฎณเฏ
เฎฎเฏเฎฏเฏเฎชเฏเฎชเฏเฎฐเฏเฎณเฏ เฎเฎพเฎฃเฏเฎช เฎคเฎฑเฎฟเฎตเฏ.
You may hear many opinions from many mouths, but real wisdom lies in seeking the truth yourself.
- Thirukkural 423
Prejudice hurts.
It is one of the most unfair and cruel acts you can do to someone.
So always believe in what you experience firsthand.
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