Thirukkural 249 in English

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

Tamil original

தெருளாதான் மெய்ப்பொருள் கண்டற்றால் தேரின்
அருளாதான் செய்யும் அறம்.

Transliteration

Therulaadhaan Meypporul Kantatraal Therin
Arulaadhaan Seyyum Aram

English Translation

“Like Truth twisted by confused mind Wisdom is vain in hearts unkind”

Plain-English meaning

If you consider, the virtue of him who is without kindness is like the perception of the true being by him who is without wisdom

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Like Truth twisted by confused mind Wisdom is vain in hearts unkind

G.U. Pope Translation

When souls unwise true wisdom's mystic vision see,The 'graceless' man may work true works of charity

Plain-English Meaning

If you consider, the virtue of him who is without kindness is like the perception of the true being by him who is without wisdom

மனத்துள் அருள் இல்லாதவன் செய்யும் அறத்தை ஆராய்ந்து பார்த்தால், ஞானம் இல்லாதவன் மெய்ப்பொருளை உணர்ந்தது போல ஆகும்.

Chapter 25

அருளுடைமை

The wealth of wealth is wealth of grace Earthly wealth e'en the basest has

Seek by sound ways good compassion; All faiths mark that for-salvation

The hearts of mercy shall not go Into dark worlds of gruesome woe

His soul is free from dread of sins Whose mercy serveth all beings

The wide wind-fed world witness bears: Men of mercy meet not sorrows

Who grace forsake and graceless act The former loss and woes forget

This world is not for weathless ones That world is not for graceless swines

The wealthless may prosper one day; The graceless never bloom agay

Like Truth twisted by confused mind Wisdom is vain in hearts unkind

Think how you feel before the strong When to the feeble you do wrong