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
Modern English
“Almost nothing in this world truly lasts except a good reputation honestly earned.”
Modern Interpretation
Almost nothing in this world truly lasts except a good reputation honestly earned. Everything material eventually fades or gets used up. For example, money and possessions get spent or worn out, but people still talk about someone's kindness or integrity long after they're gone.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Almost nothing in this world truly lasts except a good reputation honestly earned.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
There is nothing that stands forth in the world imperishable, except fame, exalted in solitary greatness
Tamil commentary
தனக்கு இணையில்லாததாய், உயர்ந்ததாய் விளங்கும் புகழே அன்றி, அழியாமல் நிலைத்து நிற்கும் வேறொன்றும் இவ்வுலகத்தில் 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