Thirukkural 331 in English

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

Tamil original

நில்லாத வற்றை நிலையின என்றுணரும்
புல்லறி வாண்மை கடை.

Transliteration

Nillaadha Vatrai Nilaiyina Endrunarum
Pullari Vaanmai Katai

English Translation

“The worst of follies it is told The fleeting as lasting to hold”

Plain-English meaning

That ignorance which considers those things to be stable which are not so, is dishonourable (to the wise)

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

The worst of follies it is told The fleeting as lasting to hold

G.U. Pope Translation

Lowest and meanest lore, that bids men trust secure,In things that pass away, as things that shall endure

Plain-English Meaning

That ignorance which considers those things to be stable which are not so, is dishonourable (to the wise)

நிலை இல்லாத பொருள்களை நிலையானவை என்று எண்ணும் அற்ப அழிவு இழிவானது.

Chapter 34

நிலையாமை

The worst of follies it is told The fleeting as lasting to hold

Like a drama-crowd wealth gathers Like passing show its pride too goes

Wealth wanes away; but when it comes Take care to do enduring things

The showy day is but a saw Your life, know that, to file and gnaw

Ere tongue benumbs and hiccough comes Rise up to do good deeds betimes

One was yesterday; not today!

Man knows not his next moment On crores of things he is intent

The soul from body any day Like bird from egg-shell flies away

Death is like a slumber deep And birth like waking from that sleep

The life berthed in this body shows A fixed home it never knows