Thirukkural 117 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கெடுவாக வையாது உலகம் நடுவாக
நன்றிக்கண் தங்கியான் தாழ்வு.
Transliteration
Ketuvaaka Vaiyaadhu Ulakam Natuvaaka
Nandrikkan Thangiyaan Thaazhvu
Modern English
“People who live by fairness and honesty, even if it costs them money or comfort, aren't considered failures by those who understand what really matters.”
Modern Interpretation
People who live by fairness and honesty, even if it costs them money or comfort, aren't considered failures by those who understand what really matters. Their integrity is worth more than what they gave up. For example, a small business owner who refuses to cut corners, even while competitors profit by cheating customers, deserves respect, not pity, for staying in modest circumstances.
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Modern Plain English
People who live by fairness and honesty, even if it costs them money or comfort, aren't considered failures by those who understand what really matters.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The just reduced to poverty Is not held down by equity
G.U. Pope Translation
The man who justly lives, tenacious of the right,In low estate is never low to wise man's sight
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The great will not regard as poverty the low estate of that man who dwells in the virtue of equity
Tamil commentary
நீதி என்னும் அறவாழ்வு வாழ்ந்தும் ஒருவன் வறுமைப்பட்டுப் போவான் என்றால், அதை வறுமை என்று உயர்ந்தோர் எண்ணவேமாட்டார்.
Chapter 12
More from Impartiality
நடுவு நிலைமை
Equity is supreme virtue It is to give each man his due
Kural 112Wealth of the man of equity Grows and lasts to posterity
Kural 113Though profitable, turn away From unjust gains without delay
Kural 114The worthy and the unworthy Are seen in their posterity
Kural 115Loss and gain by cause arise; Equal mind adorns the wise
Kural 116Of perdition let him be sure Who leaves justice to sinful lure
Kural 117The just reduced to poverty Is not held down by equity
Kural 118Like balance holding equal scales A well poised mind is jewel of the wise
Kural 119Justice is upright, unbending And free from crooked word-twisting
Kural 120A trader's trade prospers fairly When his dealings are neighbourly