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

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

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

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

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

நாள் என நமக்குத் தோன்றும் காலம், நம் உயிரைப் பிளந்து செல்லும் வாளே; அறிஞர்க்குத்தான் இது விளங்கும்.

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