Thirukkural 240 in English

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

Tamil original

வசையொழிய வாழ்வாரே வாழ்வார் இசையொழிய
வாழ்வாரே வாழா தவர்.

Transliteration

Vasaiyozhiya Vaazhvaare Vaazhvaar Isaiyozhiya
Vaazhvaare Vaazhaa Thavar

English Translation

“They live who live without blemish The blameful ones do not flurish”

Plain-English meaning

Those live who live without disgrace Those who live without fame live not

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

They live who live without blemish The blameful ones do not flurish

G.U. Pope Translation

Who live without reproach, them living men we deem;Who live without renown, live not, though living men they seem

Plain-English Meaning

Those live who live without disgrace Those who live without fame live not

தம்மீது பழி இன்றிப் புகழோடு வாழ்பவரே உயிர‌ோடு வாழ்பவர்; புகழ் இன்றிப் பழியோடு வாழ்பவர் இருந்தும் இல்லாதவரே.

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