Thirukkural 1000 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பண்பிலான் பெற்ற பெருஞ்செல்வம் நன்பால்
கலந்தீமை யால்திரிந் தற்று.
Transliteration
Panpilaan Petra Perunjelvam Nanpaal
Kalandheemai Yaaldhirin Thatru
Modern English
“Wealth gained by someone without goodness can become harmful, like pure milk spoiled by a dirty vessel.”
Modern Interpretation
Wealth gained by someone without goodness can become harmful, like pure milk spoiled by a dirty vessel. For example, a rich business that exploits workers may have money but turns its wealth into a source of harm rather than benefit.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Wealth gained by someone without goodness can become harmful, like pure milk spoiled by a dirty vessel.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The wealth heaped by the churlish base Is pure milk soured by impure vase
G.U. Pope Translation
Like sweet milk soured because in filthy vessel poured,Is ample wealth in churlish man's unopened coffers stored
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The great wealth obtained by one who has no goodness will perish like pure milk spoilt by the
Tamil commentary
நல்ல பண்பு இல்லாதவன் அடைந்த பெரும் செல்வம், பாத்திரக் கேட்டால் அதிலுள்ள நல்ல பால் கெட்டுப் போவது போலாம்.
Chapter 100
More from Courtesy
பண்புடைமை
To the polite free of access Easily comes courteousness
Kural 992Humanity and noble birth Develop courtesy and moral worth
Kural 993Likeness in limbs is not likeness It's likeness in kind courteousness
Kural 994The world applauds those helpful men Whose actions are just and benign
Kural 995The courteous don't even foes detest For contempt offends even in jest
Kural 996The world rests with the mannered best Or it crumbles and falls to dust
Kural 997The mannerless though sharp like file Are like wooden blocks indocile
Kural 998Discourtesy is mean indeed E'en to a base unfriendly breed
Kural 999To those bereft of smiling light Even in day the earth is night
Kural 1000The wealth heaped by the churlish base Is pure milk soured by impure vase