Thirukkural 154 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நிறையுடைமை நீங்காமை வேண்டின் பொற்யுடைமை
போற்றி யொழுகப் படும்.
Transliteration
Niraiyutaimai Neengaamai Ventin Poraiyutaimai
Potri Yozhukap Patum
Modern English
“If you want your good standing and self-respect to stay with you for life, make patience part of how you live, not just something you reach for occasionally.”
Modern Interpretation
If you want your good standing and self-respect to stay with you for life, make patience part of how you live, not just something you reach for occasionally. It has to become a habit. For example, someone who consistently keeps their cool under pressure, at work or in friendships, tends to keep the respect that impulsive people slowly lose.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
If you want your good standing and self-respect to stay with you for life, make patience part of how you live, not just something you reach for occasionally.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Practice of patient quality Retains intact itegrity
G.U. Pope Translation
Seek'st thou honour never tarnished to retain;So must thou patience, guarding evermore, maintain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
If you desire that greatness should never leave, you preserve in your conduct the exercise of patience
Tamil commentary
சான்றாண்மை நம்மைவிட்டு விலகக்கூடாது என விரும்பினால் பொறுமையைப் பின்பற்றி வாழ வேண்டும்
Chapter 16
More from The Possession of Patience, Forbearance
பொறையுடைமை
As earth bears up with diggers too To bear revilers is prime virtue
Kural 152Forgive insults is a good habit Better it is to forget it
Kural 153Neglect the guest is dearth of dearth To bear with fools is strength of strength
Kural 154Practice of patient quality Retains intact itegrity
Kural 155Vengeance is not in esteem held Patience is praised as hidden gold
Kural 156Revenge accords but one day's joy Patience carries its praise for aye
Kural 157Though others cause you wanton pain Grieve not; from unjust harm refrain
Kural 158By noble forbearance vanquish The proud that have caused you anguish
Kural 159More than ascetics they are pure Who bitter tongues meekly endure
Kural 160Who fast are great to do penance Greater are they who bear offence