Thirukkural 231 in English

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

Tamil original

ஈதல் இசைபட வாழ்தல் அதுவல்லது
ஊதியம் இல்லை உயிர்க்கு.

Transliteration

Eedhal Isaipata Vaazhdhal Adhuvalladhu
Oodhiyam Illai Uyirkku

English Translation

“They gather fame who freely give The greatest gain for all that live”

Plain-English meaning

Give to the poor and live with praise There is no greater profit to man than that

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

They gather fame who freely give The greatest gain for all that live

G.U. Pope Translation

See that thy life the praise of generous gifts obtain;Save this for living man exists no real gain

Plain-English Meaning

Give to the poor and live with praise There is no greater profit to man than that

ஏழைகளுக்குக் கொடுப்பது; அதனால் புகழ் பெருக வாழ்வது; இப்புகழ் அன்றி மனிதர்க்குப் பயன் வேறு ஒன்றும் இல்லை.

Chapter 24

புகழ்

They gather fame who freely give The greatest gain for all that live

The glory of the alms-giver Is praised aloud as popular

Nothing else lasts on earth for e'er Saving high fame of the giver!

From hailing gods heavens will cease To hail the men of lasting praise

Fame in fall and life in death Are rare but for the soulful worth

Be born with fame if birth you want If not of birth you must not vaunt

Why grieve at those who blame the shame Of those who cannot live in fame?

To men on earth it is a shame Not to beget the child of fame

The land will shrink in yield if men O'erburden it without renown

They live who live without blemish The blameful ones do not flurish