Thirukkural 251 in English

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

Tamil original

தன்னூன் பெருக்கற்குத் தான்பிறிது ஊனுண்பான்
எங்ஙனம் ஆளும் அருள்?

Transliteration

Thannoon Perukkarkuth Thaanpiridhu Oonunpaan
Engnganam Aalum Arul?

English Translation

“What graciousness can one command who feeds his flesh by flesh gourmand”

Plain-English meaning

How can he be possessed of kindness, who to increase his own flesh, eats the flesh of other creatures

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

What graciousness can one command who feeds his flesh by flesh gourmand

G.U. Pope Translation

How can the wont of 'kindly grace' to him be known,Who other creatures' flesh consumes to feed his own

Plain-English Meaning

How can he be possessed of kindness, who to increase his own flesh, eats the flesh of other creatures

தன் உடம்பை வளர்ப்பதற்காக இன்னோர் உடம்பைத் தின்பவன் மனத்துள் இரக்கம் எப்படி இருக்கும்?

Chapter 26

புலால் மறுத்தல்

What graciousness can one command who feeds his flesh by flesh gourmand

The thriftless have no property And flesh-eaters have no pity

Who wields a steel is steel-hearted Who tastes body is hard-hearted

If merciless it is to kill, To kill and eat is disgraceful

Off with flesh; a life you save The eater hell's mouth shall not waive!

None would kill and sell the flesh For eating it if they don't wish

From eating flesh men must abstain If they but feel the being's pain

Whose mind from illusion is freed Refuse on lifeless flesh to feed

Not to-kill-and-eat, truly Excels thousand pourings of ghee!

All lives shall lift their palms to him Who eats not flesh nor kills with whim