Thirukkural 333 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அற்கா இயல்பிற்றுச் செல்வம் அதுபெற்றால்
அற்குப ஆங்கே செயல்.
Transliteration
Arkaa Iyalpitruch Chelvam Adhupetraal
Arkupa Aange Seyal
Modern English
“Wealth does not last, so use it for lasting good while you have it.”
Modern Interpretation
Wealth does not last, so use it for lasting good while you have it. Money becomes more valuable when it supports something that outlives the money itself. For example, helping someone learn a skill can matter long after the cash has been spent.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Wealth does not last, so use it for lasting good while you have it.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Wealth wanes away; but when it comes Take care to do enduring things
G.U. Pope Translation
Unenduring is all wealth; if you wealth enjoy,Enduring works in working wealth straightway employ
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Wealth is perishable; let those who obtain it immediately practise those (virtues) which are imperishable
Tamil commentary
நிலையாத இயல்பினை உடையது செல்வம்; அது கிடைத்தால் நிலையான அறங்களைச் செய்க.
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