Kural 122Chapter 13: The Possession of Self-restraint

Thirukkural 122 in English

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

Tamil original

காக்க பொருளா அடக்கத்தை ஆக்கம்
அதனினூஉங் கில்லை உயிர்க்கு.

Transliteration

Kaakka Porulaa Atakkaththai Aakkam
Adhaninooung Killai Uyirkku

Modern English

“Guard your self-control the way you'd guard your most valuable possession, because nothing else brings as much lasting good into your life.”

Modern Interpretation

Guard your self-control the way you'd guard your most valuable possession, because nothing else brings as much lasting good into your life. It's easy to underestimate until it's tested. For example, resisting the urge to spend your entire paycheck the day you get it protects your future far more than any single purchase could satisfy you now.

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Modern Plain English

Guard your self-control the way you'd guard your most valuable possession, because nothing else brings as much lasting good into your life.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

No gains with self-control measure Guard with care this great treasure

G.U. Pope Translation

Guard thou as wealth the power of self-control;Than this no greater gain to living soul

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

Let self-control be guarded as a treasure; there is no greater source of good for man than that

Tamil commentary

அடக்கத்தைச் செல்வமாக எண்ணிக் காக்க; அதைக் காட்டிலும் பெரிய செல்வம் வேறு இல்லை.

Chapter 13

More from The Possession of Self-restraint

அடக்கம் உடைமை

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Kural 121

Self-rule leads to realms of gods Indulgence leads to gloomy hades

Kural 122

No gains with self-control measure Guard with care this great treasure

Kural 123

Knowing wisdom who lives controlled Name and fame seek him untold

Kural 124

Firmly fixed in self serene The sage looks grander than mountain

Kural 125

Humility is good for all To the rich it adds a wealth special

Kural 126

Who senses five like tortoise hold Their joy prolongs to births sevenfold

Kural 127

Rein the tongue if nothing else Or slips of tongue bring all the woes

Kural 128

Even a single evil word Will turn all good results to bad

Kural 129

The fire-burnt wounds do find a cure Tongue-burnt wound rests a running sore

Kural 130

Virtue seeks and peeps to see Self-controlled savant anger free