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
Modern English
“No repayment, not even the whole world, can match the value of help someone gives you when they owed you nothing and expected nothing back.”
Modern Interpretation
No repayment, not even the whole world, can match the value of help someone gives you when they owed you nothing and expected nothing back. That kind of generosity is priceless because it comes from pure goodwill. For example, a stranger who helps you fix a flat tire on a lonely road, asking for nothing in return, leaves a debt of gratitude that money can't settle.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
No repayment, not even the whole world, can match the value of help someone gives you when they owed you nothing and expected nothing back.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
(The gift of) heaven and earth is not an equivalent for a benefit which is conferred where none had been received
Tamil commentary
ஒருவருக்கு ஒரு நன்மையும் நாம் செய்யாத போதும், அவர் நமக்கு உதவினால், அதற்குக் கைம்மாறாக மண்ணுலகையும் விண்ணுலகயும் கொடுத்தாலும் சமம் ஆகாது
Chapter 11
More from Gratitude
செய்ந்நன்றியறிதல்
Unhelped in turn good help given Exceeds in worth earth and heaven
Kural 102A help rendered in hour of need Though small is greater than the world
Kural 103Help rendered without weighing fruits Outweighs the sea in grand effects
Kural 104Help given though millet-small Knowers count its good palm-tree tall
Kural 105A help is not the help's measure It is gainer's worth and pleasure
Kural 106Forget not friendship of the pure Forsake not timely helpers sure
Kural 107Through sevenfold births, in memory fares The willing friend who wiped one's tears
Kural 108To forget good turns is not good Good it is over wrong not to brood
Kural 109Let deadly harms be forgotten While remembering one good-turn
Kural 110The virtue-killer may be saved Not benefit-killer who is damned