Thirukkural 236 in English

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

Tamil original

தோன்றின் புகழொடு தோன்றுக அஃதிலார்
தோன்றலின் தோன்றாமை நன்று.

Transliteration

Thondrin Pukazhotu Thondruka Aqdhilaar
Thondralin Thondraamai Nandru

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

If you are born (in this world), be born with qualities conductive to fame From those who are destitute of them it will be better not to be born

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

If man you walk the stage, appear adorned with glory's grace;Save glorious you can shine, 'twere better hide your face

Plain-English Meaning

If you are born (in this world), be born with qualities conductive to fame From those who are destitute of them it will be better not to be born

பிறர் அறியுமாறு அறிமுகமானால் புகழ் மிக்கவராய் அறிமுகம் ஆகுக; புகழ் இல்லாதவர் உலகு காணக் காட்சி தருவதிலும், தராமல் இருப்‌பதே நல்லது.

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