Thirukkural 213 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
புத்தே ளுலகத்தும் ஈண்டும் பெறலரிதே
ஒப்புரவின் நல்ல பிற.
Transliteration
Puththe Lulakaththum Eentum Peralaridhe
Oppuravin Nalla Pira
Modern English
“Nothing else compares to the value of genuinely helping others, not even something as grand as a perfect world beyond this one.”
Modern Interpretation
Nothing else compares to the value of genuinely helping others, not even something as grand as a perfect world beyond this one. It stands above every other kind of goodness. For example, no personal achievement feels quite like the satisfaction of showing up for someone who truly needed it.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Nothing else compares to the value of genuinely helping others, not even something as grand as a perfect world beyond this one.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
In heav'n and earth 'tis hard to find A greater good than being kind
G.U. Pope Translation
To 'due beneficence' no equal good we know,Amid the happy gods, or in this world below
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
It is difficult to obtain another good equal to benevolence either in this world or in that of the gods
Tamil commentary
தேவர்கள் உலகத்திலும் இப்பூவுலகிலும், உழைக்க முடியாதவர்க்கு உதவுவது போன்ற வேறு நல்ல செயல்களைப் பெறுவது கடினம்.
Chapter 22
More from Duty to Society
ஒப்புரவறிதல்
Duty demands nothing in turn; How can the world recompense rain?
Kural 212All the wealth that toils give Is meant to serve those who deserve
Kural 213In heav'n and earth 'tis hard to find A greater good than being kind
Kural 214He lives who knows befitting act Others are deemed as dead in fact
Kural 215The wealth that wise and kind do make Is like water that fills a lake
Kural 216Who plenty gets and plenty gives Is like town-tree teeming with fruits
Kural 217The wealth of a wide-hearted soul Is a herbal tree that healeth all
Kural 218Though seers may fall on evil days Their sense of duty never strays
Kural 219The good man's poverty and grief Is want of means to give relief
Kural 220By good if ruin comes across Sell yourself to save that loss