Thirukkural 135 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அழுக்கா றுடையான்கண் ஆக்கம்போன்று இல்லை
ஒழுக்க மிலான்கண் உயர்வு.
Transliteration
Azhukkaa Rutaiyaankan Aakkampondru Illai
Ozhukka Milaankan Uyarvu
Modern English
“Just as an envious person can never really enjoy the wealth they have, someone who lacks good conduct can never really achieve lasting greatness, no matter how talented or successful they seem.”
Modern Interpretation
Just as an envious person can never really enjoy the wealth they have, someone who lacks good conduct can never really achieve lasting greatness, no matter how talented or successful they seem. For example, a brilliant student who cheats or bullies others to get ahead might win in the short term, but rarely earns the lasting admiration that comes with integrity.
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Modern Plain English
Just as an envious person can never really enjoy the wealth they have, someone who lacks good conduct can never really achieve lasting greatness, no matter how talented or successful they seem.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The envious prosper but ill The ill-behaved sinks lower still
G.U. Pope Translation
The envious soul in life no rich increase of blessing gains,So man of 'due decorum' void no dignity obtains
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Just as the envious man will be without wealth, so will the man of destitute of propriety of conduct be without greatness
Tamil commentary
பொறாமை உள்ளவனுக்குச் செல்வம் இல்லை என்பது போல், ஒழுக்கம் இல்லாதவனுக்கு உயர்குலம் என்பதும் இல்லை.
Chapter 14
More from The Possession of Decorum
ஒழுக்கம் உடைமை
Decorum does one dignity More than life guard its purity
Kural 132Virtues of conduct all excel; The soul aid should be guarded well
Kural 133Good conduct shows good family Low manners mark anomaly
Kural 134Readers recall forgotten lore, But conduct lost returns no more
Kural 135The envious prosper but ill The ill-behaved sinks lower still
Kural 136The firm from virtue falter not They know the ills of evil thought
Kural 137Conduct good ennobles man, Bad conduct entails disgrace mean
Kural 138Good conduct sows seeds of blessings Bad conduct endless evil brings
Kural 139Foul words will never fall from lips Of righteous men even by slips
Kural 140Though read much they are ignorant Whose life is not world-accordant