Thirukkural 29 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
குணமென்னும் குன்றேறி நின்றார் வெகுளி
கணமேயும் காத்தல் அரிது.
Transliteration
Kunamennum Kundreri Nindraar Vekuli
Kanameyum Kaaththal Aridhu
Modern English
“People of great character usually control their anger, so their anger carries weight when something truly wrong happens.”
Modern Interpretation
People of great character usually control their anger, so their anger carries weight when something truly wrong happens. Even a brief warning from such a person can make others stop and think. For example, a calm teacher who rarely raises their voice may strongly object when a student is bullied. The seriousness comes from the teacher's steady goodness, not from loudness.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People of great character usually control their anger, so their anger carries weight when something truly wrong happens.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Their wrath, who've climb'd the mount of good, Though transient, cannot be withstood
G.U. Pope Translation
The wrath 'tis hard e'en for an instant to endure,Of those who virtue's hill have scaled, and stand secure
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The anger of those who have ascended the mountain of goodness, though it continue but for a moment, cannot be resisted
Tamil commentary
நற்குணங்களாம் சிறுமலை மீது ஏறி நின்ற அம் மேன்மக்கள், தமக்குள் ஒரு கணப்பொழுதும் கோபத்தைக் கொண்டிருப்பது கடினம்.
Chapter 3
More from The Greatness of Ascetics
நீத்தார் பெருமை
No merit can be held so high As theirs who sense and self deny
Kural 22To con ascetic glory here Is to count the dead upon the sphere
Kural 23No lustre can with theirs compare Who know the right and virtue wear
Kural 24With hook of firmness to restrain The senses five, is heaven to gain
Kural 25Indra himself has cause to say How great the power ascetics' sway
Kural 26The small the paths of ease pursue The great achieve things rare to do
Kural 27They gain the world, who grasp and tell Of taste, sight, hearing, touch and smell
Kural 28Full-worded men by what they say, Their greatness to the world display
Kural 29Their wrath, who've climb'd the mount of good, Though transient, cannot be withstood
Kural 30With gentle mercy towards all, The sage fulfils the vitue's call