Kural 211Chapter 22: Duty to Society

Thirukkural 211 in English

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

Tamil original

கைம்மாறு வேண்டா கடப்பாடு மாரிமாட்டு
என் ஆற்றுங் கொல்லோ உலகு.

Transliteration

Kaimmaaru Ventaa Katappaatu Maarimaattu
En Aatrung Kollo Ulaku

English Translation

“Duty demands nothing in turn; How can the world recompense rain?”

Plain-English meaning

Benevolence seeks not a return. What does the world give back to the clouds ?

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Duty demands nothing in turn; How can the world recompense rain?

G.U. Pope Translation

Duty demands no recompense; to clouds of heaven,By men on earth, what answering gift is given

Plain-English Meaning

Benevolence seeks not a return. What does the world give back to the clouds ?

Tamil commentary

பிறர்க்கு உதவுவது, அவ்வுதவியைப் பெற்றவர் திரும்பச் செய்வதை எதிர்பார்த்து அன்று; ஒருவர் செய்ததற்குத் திரும்பச் செய்துதான் ஆகவேண்டும் என்றால் மழை தரும் மேகங்களுக்கு இந்த உலகம் திரும்ப என்ன செய்துவிட முடியும்?

Chapter 22

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Kural 211

Duty demands nothing in turn; How can the world recompense rain?

Kural 212

All the wealth that toils give Is meant to serve those who deserve

Kural 213

In heav'n and earth 'tis hard to find A greater good than being kind

Kural 214

He lives who knows befitting act Others are deemed as dead in fact

Kural 215

The wealth that wise and kind do make Is like water that fills a lake

Kural 216

Who plenty gets and plenty gives Is like town-tree teeming with fruits

Kural 217

The wealth of a wide-hearted soul Is a herbal tree that healeth all

Kural 218

Though seers may fall on evil days Their sense of duty never strays

Kural 219

The good man's poverty and grief Is want of means to give relief

Kural 220

By good if ruin comes across Sell yourself to save that loss