Thirukkural 30 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அந்தணர் என்போர் அறவோர்மற் றெவ்வுயிர்க்கும்
செந்தண்மை பூண்டொழுக லான்.
Transliteration
Andhanar Enpor Aravormar Revvuyir
Kkum Sendhanmai Poontozhuka Laan
Modern English
“A person's true worth is shown by kindness toward every living being, not by birth, title, or social position.”
Modern Interpretation
A person's true worth is shown by kindness toward every living being, not by birth, title, or social position. The word 'Anthanar' here points to people who live with virtue and compassion. For example, someone who treats a cleaner, a stranger, an animal, and a powerful official with the same basic respect shows genuine goodness.
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Modern Plain English
A person's true worth is shown by kindness toward every living being, not by birth, title, or social position.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
With gentle mercy towards all, The sage fulfils the vitue's call
G.U. Pope Translation
Towards all that breathe, with seemly graciousness adorned they live;And thus to virtue's sons the name of 'Anthanar' men give
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The virtuous are truly called Anthanar; because in their conduct towards all creatures they are clothed in kindness
Tamil commentary
எல்லா உயிர்களிடத்திலும் இரக்கம் கொண்டு வாழ்பவரே அறவோர்; அவரே அந்தணர்.
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