Thirukkural 31 in English

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

Tamil original

சிறப்புஈனும் செல்வமும் ஈனும் அறத்தினூஉங்கு
ஆக்கம் எவனோ உயிர்க்கு.

Transliteration

Sirappu Eenum Selvamum Eenum
Araththinooungu Aakkam Evano Uyirkku

English Translation

“From virtue weal and wealth outflow; What greater good can mankind know?”

Plain-English meaning

Virtue will confer heaven and wealth; what greater source of happiness can man possess ?

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

From virtue weal and wealth outflow; What greater good can mankind know?

G.U. Pope Translation

It yields distinction, yields prosperity; what gainGreater than virtue can a living man obtain

Plain-English Meaning

Virtue will confer heaven and wealth; what greater source of happiness can man possess ?

அறம், நான்கு பேர் முன் நமக்கு மேன்மையைத் தரும்; நல்ல செல்வத்தையும் கொடுக்கும். இத்தகைய அறத்தைக் காட்டிலும் மேன்மையானது நமக்கு உண்டா?

Chapter 4

அறன் வலியுறுத்தல்

From virtue weal and wealth outflow; What greater good can mankind know?

Virtue enhances joy and gain; Forsaking it is fall and pain

Perform good deeds as much you can Always and everywhere, o man!

In spotless mind virtue is found And not in show and swelling sound

Four ills eschew and virtue reach, Lust, anger, envy, evil-speech

Do good enow; defer it not A deathless aid in death if sought

Litter-bearer and rider say Without a word, the fortune's way

Like stones that block rebirth and pain Are doing good and good again

Weal flows only from virtue done The rest is rue and renown gone

Worthy act is virtue done Vice is what we ought to shun