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
Modern English
“A favour's true worth isn't measured by its size but by when it arrives.”
Modern Interpretation
A favour's true worth isn't measured by its size but by when it arrives. Something small given exactly when you're struggling can matter more than a bigger gift offered later. For example, a classmate lending you bus fare on the one day you're stranded means more than a lavish gift months after the crisis has passed.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A favour's true worth isn't measured by its size but by when it arrives.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
A favour conferred in the time of need, though it be small (in itself), is (in value) much larger than the world
Tamil commentary
நமக்கு நெருக்கடியான நேரத்தில் ஒருவர் செய்த உதவி, அளவில் சிறியது என்றாலும், உதவிய நேரத்தை எண்ண அது இந்தப் பூமியை விட மிகப் பெரியதாகும்
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