Thirukkural 336 in English

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

Tamil original

நெருநல் உளனொருவன் இன்றில்லை என்னும்
பெருமை உடைத்துஇவ் வுலகு.

Transliteration

Nerunal Ulanoruvan Indrillai Ennum
Perumai Utaiththuiv Vulaku

English Translation

“One was yesterday; not today!”

Plain-English meaning

This world possesses the greatness that one who yesterday was is not today

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

One was yesterday; not today!

G.U. Pope Translation

Existing yesterday, today to nothing hurled!-Such greatness owns this transitory world

Plain-English Meaning

This world possesses the greatness that one who yesterday was is not today

நேற்று இருந்த ஒருவன் இன்று இல்லை என்று சொல்லும்படி நிலையாமையை உடையது இவ்வுலகம்.

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