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
Modern English
“A life guided by virtue brings both respect and meaningful prosperity.”
Modern Interpretation
A life guided by virtue brings both respect and meaningful prosperity. It helps us earn trust, use resources responsibly, and enjoy success without shame. For example, a business owner who treats workers fairly may grow more slowly than someone who exploits them, but builds lasting loyalty and a good name. What is gained honestly brings deeper happiness.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A life guided by virtue brings both respect and meaningful prosperity.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Virtue will confer heaven and wealth; what greater source of happiness can man possess ?
Tamil commentary
அறம், நான்கு பேர் முன் நமக்கு மேன்மையைத் தரும்; நல்ல செல்வத்தையும் கொடுக்கும். இத்தகைய அறத்தைக் காட்டிலும் மேன்மையானது நமக்கு உண்டா?
Chapter 4
More from Assertion of the Strength of Virtue
அறன் வலியுறுத்தல்
From virtue weal and wealth outflow; What greater good can mankind know?
Kural 32Virtue enhances joy and gain; Forsaking it is fall and pain
Kural 33Perform good deeds as much you can Always and everywhere, o man!
Kural 34In spotless mind virtue is found And not in show and swelling sound
Kural 35Four ills eschew and virtue reach, Lust, anger, envy, evil-speech
Kural 36Do good enow; defer it not A deathless aid in death if sought
Kural 37Litter-bearer and rider say Without a word, the fortune's way
Kural 38Like stones that block rebirth and pain Are doing good and good again
Kural 39Weal flows only from virtue done The rest is rue and renown gone
Kural 40Worthy act is virtue done Vice is what we ought to shun