Thirukkural 33 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஒல்லும் வகையான் அறவினை ஓவாதே
செல்லும்வாய் எல்லாஞ் செயல்.
Transliteration
Ollum Vakaiyaan Aravinai Ovaadhe
Sellumvaai Ellaanj Cheyal
Modern English
“Practise goodness whenever you can, wherever you are, and do not treat it as an occasional activity.”
Modern Interpretation
Practise goodness whenever you can, wherever you are, and do not treat it as an occasional activity. Small acts of fairness, honesty, and help can become a steady way of life. For example, a person can return extra change, give credit to a teammate, and speak respectfully even on an ordinary busy day. Virtue grows through repeated choices.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Practise goodness whenever you can, wherever you are, and do not treat it as an occasional activity.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Perform good deeds as much you can Always and everywhere, o man!
G.U. Pope Translation
To finish virtue's work with ceaseless effort strive,What way thou may'st, where'er thou see'st the work may thrive
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
As much as possible, in every way, incessantly practise virtue
Tamil commentary
இடைவிடாமல் இயன்ற மட்டும் எல்லா இடங்களிலும் அறச்செயலைச் செய்க.
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