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

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

It is difficult to obtain another good equal to benevolence either in this world or in that of the gods

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

It is difficult to obtain another good equal to benevolence either in this world or in that of the gods

தேவர்கள் உலகத்திலும் இப்பூவுலகிலும், உழைக்க முடியாதவர்க்கு உதவுவது போன்ற வேறு நல்ல செயல்களைப் பெறுவது கடினம்.

Chapter 22

ஒப்புரவறிதல்

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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