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
Modern English
“Give to those in need and build a life people genuinely respect, nothing else you gain in life matters quite as much.”
Modern Interpretation
Give to those in need and build a life people genuinely respect, nothing else you gain in life matters quite as much. Reputation earned through generosity outlasts everything else. For example, someone remembered fondly for their generosity leaves behind something far more valuable than whatever wealth they kept for themselves.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Give to those in need and build a life people genuinely respect, nothing else you gain in life matters quite as much.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Give to the poor and live with praise There is no greater profit to man than that
Tamil commentary
ஏழைகளுக்குக் கொடுப்பது; அதனால் புகழ் பெருக வாழ்வது; இப்புகழ் அன்றி மனிதர்க்குப் பயன் வேறு ஒன்றும் இல்லை.
Chapter 24
More from Renown
புகழ்
They gather fame who freely give The greatest gain for all that live
Kural 232The glory of the alms-giver Is praised aloud as popular
Kural 233Nothing else lasts on earth for e'er Saving high fame of the giver!
Kural 234From hailing gods heavens will cease To hail the men of lasting praise
Kural 235Fame in fall and life in death Are rare but for the soulful worth
Kural 236Be born with fame if birth you want If not of birth you must not vaunt
Kural 237Why grieve at those who blame the shame Of those who cannot live in fame?
Kural 238To men on earth it is a shame Not to beget the child of fame
Kural 239The land will shrink in yield if men O'erburden it without renown
Kural 240They live who live without blemish The blameful ones do not flurish