Thirukkural 1300 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தஞ்சம் தமரல்லர் ஏதிலார் தாமுடைய
நெஞ்சம் தமரல் வழி.
Transliteration
Thanjam Thamarallar Edhilaar Thaamutaiya
Nenjam Thamaral Vazhi
Modern English
“If our own heart feels like a stranger, it is difficult for outsiders to become true refuge.”
Modern Interpretation
If our own heart feels like a stranger, it is difficult for outsiders to become true refuge. Someone entering a new group may still feel alone when they do not trust or accept themselves.
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Modern Plain English
If our own heart feels like a stranger, it is difficult for outsiders to become true refuge.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Why wonder if strangers disown When one's own heart is not his own?
G.U. Pope Translation
A trifle is unfriendliness by aliens shown,When our own heart itself is not our own
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
It is hardly possible for strangers to behave like relations, when one's own soul acts like a stranger
Tamil commentary
நமக்குரிய நெஞ்சமே நம்முடன் உறவாக இல்லாத போது, மற்றவர் உறவில்லாதவராக இருத்தல் என்பது எளிதேயாகும்.
Chapter 130
More from Expostulation with Oneself
நெஞ்சொடு புலத்தல்
You see, his heart is his alone; Why not my heart be all my own?
Kural 1292O heart, you see how he slights me Yet you clasp him as if friendly
Kural 1293You follow him at will Is it \"The fallen have no friends\" my heart?
Kural 1294You won't sulk first and then submit Who will then consult you, my heart?
Kural 1295Frets to gain and fears loss in gain O my heart suffers ceaseless pain
Kural 1296My itching mind eats me anon As I muse on him all alone
Kural 1297I forget shame but not his thought In mean foolish mind I'm caught
Kural 1298My heart living in love of him Hails his glory ignoring blame
Kural 1299Who support a man in grief If lover's heart denies relief?
Kural 1300Why wonder if strangers disown When one's own heart is not his own?