Thirukkural 1033 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
உழுதுண்டு வாழ்வாரே வாழ்வார்மற் றெல்லாம்
தொழுதுண்டு பின்செல் பவர்.
Transliteration
Uzhudhuntu Vaazhvaare Vaazhvaarmar Rellaam
Thozhudhuntu Pinsel Pavar
Modern English
“The verse praises those who live by farming as independent providers; others depend on what farmers produce.”
Modern Interpretation
The verse praises those who live by farming as independent providers; others depend on what farmers produce. For example, a family that grows its own food contributes something essential instead of relying entirely on others for it.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
The verse praises those who live by farming as independent providers; others depend on what farmers produce.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
They live who live to plough and eat The rest behind them bow and eat
G.U. Pope Translation
Who ploughing eat their food, they truly live:The rest to others bend subservient, eating what they give
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
They alone live who live by agriculture; all others lead a cringing, dependent life
Tamil commentary
பிறர்க்காகவும் உழுது தாமும் உண்டு வாழ்பவரே வாழ்பவர். மற்றவர் எல்லாரும் பிறரைத் தொழுது அவர் தருவதை உண்டு தருபவர் பின்னே செல்பவர் ஆவர்.
Chapter 104
More from Farming
உழவு
Farming though hard is foremost trade Men ply at will but ploughmen lead
Kural 1032Tillers are linch-pin of mankind Bearing the rest who cannot tend
Kural 1033They live who live to plough and eat The rest behind them bow and eat
Kural 1034Who have the shade of cornful crest Under their umbra umbrellas rest
Kural 1035Who till and eat, beg not; nought hide But give to those who are in need
Kural 1036Should ploughmen sit folding their hands Desire-free monks too suffer wants
Kural 1037Moulds dried to quarter-dust ensure Rich crops without handful manure
Kural 1038Better manure than plough; then weed; Than irrigating, better guard
Kural 1039If landsmen sit sans moving about The field like wife will sulk and pout
Kural 1040Fair good earth will laugh to see Idlers pleading poverty