Thirukkural 238 in English

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

Tamil original

வசையென்ப வையத்தார்க் கெல்லாம் இசையென்னும்
எச்சம் பெறாஅ விடின்.

Transliteration

Vasaiyenpa Vaiyaththaark Kellaam Isaiyennum
Echcham Peraaa Vitin

English Translation

“To men on earth it is a shame Not to beget the child of fame”

Plain-English meaning

Not to beget fame will be esteemed a disgrace by the wise in this world

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

To men on earth it is a shame Not to beget the child of fame

G.U. Pope Translation

Fame is virtue's child, they say; if, then,You childless live, you live the scorn of men

Plain-English Meaning

Not to beget fame will be esteemed a disgrace by the wise in this world

புகழ் என்னும் பெரும் செல்வத்தைப் பெறாது போனால், இந்த உலகத்தவர்க்கு அதுவே பழி என்று அறிந்தோர் கூறுவர்.

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