Thirukkural 242 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நல்லாற்றாள் நாடி அருளாள்க பல்லாற்றால்
தேரினும் அஃதே துணை.
Transliteration
Nallaatraal Naati Arulaalka Pallaatraal
Therinum Aqdhe Thunai
Modern English
“Look for the right path in life and choose to act with kindness, because however you examine it, kindness is what actually supports you in the end.”
Modern Interpretation
Look for the right path in life and choose to act with kindness, because however you examine it, kindness is what actually supports you in the end. Every other measure of a good life comes back to this one. For example, someone who treats people fairly through hard times tends to find help coming back to them exactly when they need it most.
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Modern Plain English
Look for the right path in life and choose to act with kindness, because however you examine it, kindness is what actually supports you in the end.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Seek by sound ways good compassion; All faiths mark that for-salvation
G.U. Pope Translation
The law of 'grace' fulfil, by methods good due trial made,Though many systems you explore, this is your only aid
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
(Stand) in the good path, consider, and be kind. Even considering according to the conflicting tenets of the different sects, kindness will be your best aid, (in the acquisition of heavenly bliss.)
Tamil commentary
நல்லநெறியில் வாழ்ந்து, நமக்கு உதவும் அறம் எது என ஆய்ந்து, அருளுடன் வாழ்க; எல்லாச் சமய நெறிகளால் ஆய்ந்தாலும் அருளே நமக்குத் துணையாகும்.
Chapter 25
More from Compassion
அருளுடைமை
The wealth of wealth is wealth of grace Earthly wealth e'en the basest has
Kural 242Seek by sound ways good compassion; All faiths mark that for-salvation
Kural 243The hearts of mercy shall not go Into dark worlds of gruesome woe
Kural 244His soul is free from dread of sins Whose mercy serveth all beings
Kural 245The wide wind-fed world witness bears: Men of mercy meet not sorrows
Kural 246Who grace forsake and graceless act The former loss and woes forget
Kural 247This world is not for weathless ones That world is not for graceless swines
Kural 248The wealthless may prosper one day; The graceless never bloom agay
Kural 249Like Truth twisted by confused mind Wisdom is vain in hearts unkind
Kural 250Think how you feel before the strong When to the feeble you do wrong