Thirukkural 256 in English

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

Tamil original

தினற்பொருட்டால் கொல்லாது உலகெனின் யாரும்
விலைப்பொருட்டால் ஊன்றருவா ரில்.

Transliteration

Thinarporuttaal Kollaadhu Ulakenin Yaarum
Vilaipporuttaal Oondraruvaa Ril

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

If the world does not destroy life for the purpose of eating, then no one would sell flesh for the sake of money

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

'We eat the slain,' you say, by us no living creatures die;Who'd kill and sell, I pray, if none came there the flesh to buy

Plain-English Meaning

If the world does not destroy life for the purpose of eating, then no one would sell flesh for the sake of money

தின்பதற்காகவே கொலை செய்பவர் இல்லை என்றால், இறைச்சியை விலைக்குத் தருபவரும் உலகில் எங்கும் இருக்கமாட்டார்.

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