Thirukkural 247 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அருளில்லார்க்கு அவ்வுலகம் இல்லை பொருளில்லார்க்கு
இவ்வுலகம் இல்லாகி யாங்கு.
Transliteration
Arulillaarkku Avvulakam Illai Porulillaarkku
Ivvulakam Illaaki Yaangu
Modern English
“Just as someone with nothing to their name struggles to get by in this life, someone without any kindness in them has nothing waiting for them beyond it either.”
Modern Interpretation
Just as someone with nothing to their name struggles to get by in this life, someone without any kindness in them has nothing waiting for them beyond it either. Kindness is what a good life is ultimately built on. For example, wealth might buy comfort here, but only kindness builds the kind of legacy that outlasts a single lifetime.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
Just as someone with nothing to their name struggles to get by in this life, someone without any kindness in them has nothing waiting for them beyond it either.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
This world is not for weathless ones That world is not for graceless swines
G.U. Pope Translation
As to impoverished men this present world is not;The 'graceless' in you world have neither part nor lot
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
As this world is not for those who are without wealth, so that world is not for those who are without kindness
Tamil commentary
பொருள் இல்லாதவர்க்கு இப்பூவுலக இன்பம் இல்லாதது போலவே, அருள் இல்லாதவர்க்கு மேல் உலக இன்பம் இல்லை.
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