Thirukkural 102 in English

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

Tamil original

காலத்தி னாற்செய்த நன்றி சிறிதெனினும்
ஞாலத்தின் மாணப் பெரிது.

Transliteration

Kaalaththi Naarseydha Nandri Siridheninum
Gnaalaththin Maanap Peridhu

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

A favour conferred in the time of need, though it be small (in itself), is (in value) much larger than the world

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

A timely benefit, -though thing of little worth,The gift itself, -in excellence transcends the earth

Plain-English Meaning

A favour conferred in the time of need, though it be small (in itself), is (in value) much larger than the world

நமக்கு நெருக்கடியான நேரத்தில் ஒருவர் செய்த உதவி, அளவில் சிறியது என்றாலும், உதவிய நேரத்தை எண்ண அது இந்தப் பூமியை விட மிகப் பெரியதாகும்

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