Thirukkural 101 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

செய்யாமல் செய்த உதவிக்கு வையகமும்
வானகமும் ஆற்றல் அரிது.

Transliteration

Seyyaamal Seydha Udhavikku Vaiyakamum
Vaanakamum Aatral Aridhu

English Translation

“Unhelped in turn good help given Exceeds in worth earth and heaven”

Plain-English meaning

(The gift of) heaven and earth is not an equivalent for a benefit which is conferred where none had been received

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Unhelped in turn good help given Exceeds in worth earth and heaven

G.U. Pope Translation

Assistance given by those who ne'er received our aid,Is debt by gift of heaven and earth but poorly paid

Plain-English Meaning

(The gift of) heaven and earth is not an equivalent for a benefit which is conferred where none had been received

ஒருவருக்கு ஒரு நன்மையும் நாம் செய்யாத போதும், அவர் நமக்கு உதவினால், அதற்குக் கைம்மாறாக மண்ணுலகையும் விண்ணுலகயும் கொடுத்தாலும் சமம் ஆகாது

Chapter 11

செய்ந்நன்றியறிதல்

Unhelped in turn good help given Exceeds in worth earth and heaven

A help rendered in hour of need Though small is greater than the world

Help rendered without weighing fruits Outweighs the sea in grand effects

Help given though millet-small Knowers count its good palm-tree tall

A help is not the help's measure It is gainer's worth and pleasure

Forget not friendship of the pure Forsake not timely helpers sure

Through sevenfold births, in memory fares The willing friend who wiped one's tears

To forget good turns is not good Good it is over wrong not to brood

Let deadly harms be forgotten While remembering one good-turn

The virtue-killer may be saved Not benefit-killer who is damned