Thirukkural 23 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
இருமை வகைதெரிந்து ஈண்டுஅறம் பூண்டார்
பெருமை பிறங்கிற்று உலகு.
Transliteration
Irumai Vakaidherindhu Eentuaram Poontaar
Perumai Pirangitru Ulaku
Modern English
“People become truly admirable when they understand the difference between what is right and wrong, what brings lasting good and what causes harm, and then choose virtue.”
Modern Interpretation
People become truly admirable when they understand the difference between what is right and wrong, what brings lasting good and what causes harm, and then choose virtue. Their wisdom becomes visible in the way they live. For example, a person may lose money by refusing to cheat, but still choose honesty because they understand that short-term gain is not worth losing their character.
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Modern Plain English
People become truly admirable when they understand the difference between what is right and wrong, what brings lasting good and what causes harm, and then choose virtue.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
No lustre can with theirs compare Who know the right and virtue wear
G.U. Pope Translation
Their greatness earth transcends, who, way of both worlds weighed,In this world take their stand, in virtue's robe arrayed
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The greatness of those who have discovered the properties of both states of being, and renounced the world, shines forth on earth (beyond all others)
Tamil commentary
இம்மையின் துன்பத்தையும் மறுமையின் இன்பத்தையும் அறிந்து, மெய் உணர்ந்து, ஆசைகள் அறுத்து எறியும் அறத்தைச்செய்தவரின் பெருமையே, இவ்வுலகில் உயர்ந்து விளங்குகிறது
Chapter 3
More from The Greatness of Ascetics
நீத்தார் பெருமை
No merit can be held so high As theirs who sense and self deny
Kural 22To con ascetic glory here Is to count the dead upon the sphere
Kural 23No lustre can with theirs compare Who know the right and virtue wear
Kural 24With hook of firmness to restrain The senses five, is heaven to gain
Kural 25Indra himself has cause to say How great the power ascetics' sway
Kural 26The small the paths of ease pursue The great achieve things rare to do
Kural 27They gain the world, who grasp and tell Of taste, sight, hearing, touch and smell
Kural 28Full-worded men by what they say, Their greatness to the world display
Kural 29Their wrath, who've climb'd the mount of good, Though transient, cannot be withstood
Kural 30With gentle mercy towards all, The sage fulfils the vitue's call