Thirukkural 214 in English

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

Tamil original

ஒத்த தறவோன் உயிர்வாழ்வான் மற்றையான்
செத்தாருள் வைக்கப் படும்.

Transliteration

Oththa Tharavon Uyirvaazhvaan Matraiyaan
Seththaarul Vaikkap Patum

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

He truly lives who knows (and discharges) the proper duties (of benevolence) He who knows them not will be reckoned among the dead

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Who knows what's human life's befitting grace,He lives; the rest 'mongst dead men have their place

Plain-English Meaning

He truly lives who knows (and discharges) the proper duties (of benevolence) He who knows them not will be reckoned among the dead

உழைக்கும் சக்தி அற்றவர்க்கு உதவுபவனே உயிரோடு வாழ்பவன். உதவாதவன் இருந்தாலும் இறந்தவனாகவே எண்ணப்படுவான்.

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