Thirukkural 237 in English

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

Tamil original

புகழ்பட வாழாதார் தந்நோவார் தம்மை
இகழ்வாரை நோவது எவன்?

Transliteration

Pukazhpata Vaazhaadhaar Thannovaar Thammai
Ikazhvaarai Novadhu Evan?

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

Why do those who cannot live with praise, grieve those who despise them, instead of grieving themselves for their own inability

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

If you your days will spend devoid of goodly fame,When men despise, why blame them? You've yourself to blame

Plain-English Meaning

Why do those who cannot live with praise, grieve those who despise them, instead of grieving themselves for their own inability

புகழ் பெருகுமாறு வாழமுடியாதவர் அதற்குக் காரணர் தாமே என்று தம்மீது வருந்தாமல், தம்மை இகழ்வார் மீது வருத்தம் கொள்வது எதற்காக?

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