Thirukkural 233 in English

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

Tamil original

ஒன்றா உலகத்து உயர்ந்த புகழல்லால்
பொன்றாது நிற்பதொன் றில்.

Transliteration

Ondraa Ulakaththu Uyarndha Pukazhallaal
Pondraadhu Nirpadhon Ril

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

There is nothing that stands forth in the world imperishable, except fame, exalted in solitary greatness

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Save praise alone that soars on high,Nought lives on earth that shall not die

Plain-English Meaning

There is nothing that stands forth in the world imperishable, except fame, exalted in solitary greatness

தனக்கு இணையில்லாததாய், உயர்ந்ததாய் விளங்கும் புகழே அன்றி, அழியாமல் நிலைத்து நிற்கும் வேறொன்றும் இவ்வுலகத்தில் 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