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?
Modern English
“If people look down on you, the real question to ask is why you're not living in a way that earns their respect, not why they're being unkind.”
Modern Interpretation
If people look down on you, the real question to ask is why you're not living in a way that earns their respect, not why they're being unkind. Blame is easier than self-reflection, but far less useful. For example, instead of resenting classmates who mock a lack of effort, it helps more to ask what changed effort could actually fix.
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Modern Plain English
If people look down on you, the real question to ask is why you're not living in a way that earns their respect, not why they're being unkind.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Why do those who cannot live with praise, grieve those who despise them, instead of grieving themselves for their own inability
Tamil commentary
புகழ் பெருகுமாறு வாழமுடியாதவர் அதற்குக் காரணர் தாமே என்று தம்மீது வருந்தாமல், தம்மை இகழ்வார் மீது வருத்தம் கொள்வது எதற்காக?
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