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
Modern English
“Failing to leave behind any kind of good name that outlasts you is considered, by pretty much everyone, a real disgrace.”
Modern Interpretation
Failing to leave behind any kind of good name that outlasts you is considered, by pretty much everyone, a real disgrace. A life that leaves nothing behind is seen as wasted. For example, people remember a mentor's guidance for decades, while someone who never bothered to help anyone is quickly forgotten.
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Modern Plain English
Failing to leave behind any kind of good name that outlasts you is considered, by pretty much everyone, a real disgrace.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Not to beget fame will be esteemed a disgrace by the wise in this world
Tamil commentary
புகழ் என்னும் பெரும் செல்வத்தைப் பெறாது போனால், இந்த உலகத்தவர்க்கு அதுவே பழி என்று அறிந்தோர் கூறுவர்.
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