Thirukkural 334 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நாளென ஒன்றுபோற் காட்டி உயிர்ஈரும்
வாளது உணர்வார்ப் பெறின்.
Transliteration
Naalena Ondrupor Kaatti Uyir
Eerum Vaaladhu Unarvaarp Perin
Modern English
“Each day may look ordinary, but time is quietly cutting down our lives like a blade.”
Modern Interpretation
Each day may look ordinary, but time is quietly cutting down our lives like a blade. The wise notice what the passing days are taking. For example, endless postponing can consume the months you meant to spend with family or on a meaningful goal.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Each day may look ordinary, but time is quietly cutting down our lives like a blade.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The showy day is but a saw Your life, know that, to file and gnaw
G.U. Pope Translation
As 'day' it vaunts itself; well understood, 'tis knife',That daily cuts away a portion from thy life
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Time, which shows itself (to the ignorant) as if it were something (real) is in the estimation of the wise (only) a saw which cuts down life
Tamil commentary
நாள் என நமக்குத் தோன்றும் காலம், நம் உயிரைப் பிளந்து செல்லும் வாளே; அறிஞர்க்குத்தான் இது விளங்கும்.
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