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
Modern English
“It is deep ignorance to treat temporary things as if they will last forever.”
Modern Interpretation
It is deep ignorance to treat temporary things as if they will last forever. Wisdom begins by remembering that possessions, status, and life itself can change. For example, someone who knows popularity can fade will not build their whole identity on online attention.
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Modern Plain English
It is deep ignorance to treat temporary things as if they will last forever.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
That ignorance which considers those things to be stable which are not so, is dishonourable (to the wise)
Tamil commentary
நிலை இல்லாத பொருள்களை நிலையானவை என்று எண்ணும் அற்ப அழிவு இழிவானது.
Chapter 34
More from Instability
நிலையாமை
The worst of follies it is told The fleeting as lasting to hold
Kural 332Like a drama-crowd wealth gathers Like passing show its pride too goes
Kural 333Wealth wanes away; but when it comes Take care to do enduring things
Kural 334The showy day is but a saw Your life, know that, to file and gnaw
Kural 335Ere tongue benumbs and hiccough comes Rise up to do good deeds betimes
Kural 336One was yesterday; not today!
Kural 337Man knows not his next moment On crores of things he is intent
Kural 338The soul from body any day Like bird from egg-shell flies away
Kural 339Death is like a slumber deep And birth like waking from that sleep
Kural 340The life berthed in this body shows A fixed home it never knows