Thirukkural 115 in English

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

Tamil original

கேடும் பெருக்கமும் இல்லல்ல நெஞ்சத்துக்
கோடாமை சான்றோர்க் கணி.

Transliteration

Ketum Perukkamum Illalla Nenjaththuk
Kotaamai Saandrork Kani

English Translation

“Loss and gain by cause arise; Equal mind adorns the wise”

Plain-English meaning

Loss and gain come not without cause; it is the ornament of the wise to preserve evenness of mind (under both)

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Loss and gain by cause arise; Equal mind adorns the wise

G.U. Pope Translation

The gain and loss in life are not mere accident;Just mind inflexible is sages' ornament

Plain-English Meaning

Loss and gain come not without cause; it is the ornament of the wise to preserve evenness of mind (under both)

தீமையும் நன்மையும் எல்லார்க்கும் முன்பே குறிக்கப்பட்டு விட்டன; இதை அறிந்து நெஞ்சத்தால் நீதி தவறாது இருப்பது சான்றோர்க்கு அழகாகும்.

Chapter 12

நடுவு நிலைமை

Equity is supreme virtue It is to give each man his due

Wealth of the man of equity Grows and lasts to posterity

Though profitable, turn away From unjust gains without delay

The worthy and the unworthy Are seen in their posterity

Loss and gain by cause arise; Equal mind adorns the wise

Of perdition let him be sure Who leaves justice to sinful lure

The just reduced to poverty Is not held down by equity

Like balance holding equal scales A well poised mind is jewel of the wise

Justice is upright, unbending And free from crooked word-twisting

A trader's trade prospers fairly When his dealings are neighbourly