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

English Translation

“Their wrath, who've climb'd the mount of good, Though transient, cannot be withstood”

Plain-English meaning

The anger of those who have ascended the mountain of goodness, though it continue but for a moment, cannot be resisted

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

The anger of those who have ascended the mountain of goodness, though it continue but for a moment, cannot be resisted

நற்குணங்களாம் சிறுமலை மீது ஏறி நின்ற அம் மேன்மக்கள், தமக்குள் ஒரு கணப்பொழுதும் கோபத்தைக் கொண்டிருப்பது கடினம்.

Chapter 3

நீத்தார் பெருமை

No merit can be held so high As theirs who sense and self deny

To con ascetic glory here Is to count the dead upon the sphere

No lustre can with theirs compare Who know the right and virtue wear

With hook of firmness to restrain The senses five, is heaven to gain

Indra himself has cause to say How great the power ascetics' sway

The small the paths of ease pursue The great achieve things rare to do

They gain the world, who grasp and tell Of taste, sight, hearing, touch and smell

Full-worded men by what they say, Their greatness to the world display

Their wrath, who've climb'd the mount of good, Though transient, cannot be withstood

With gentle mercy towards all, The sage fulfils the vitue's call