Thirukkural 337 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஒருபொழுதும் வாழ்வது அறியார் கருதுப
கோடியும் அல்ல பல.
Transliteration
Orupozhudhum Vaazhvadhu Ariyaar Karudhupa
Kotiyum Alla Pala
Modern English
“People make countless plans while forgetting that they may not even have another moment.”
Modern Interpretation
People make countless plans while forgetting that they may not even have another moment. Planning is useful, but ignoring life's uncertainty is foolish. For example, do not keep postponing an apology or a dream as though time were guaranteed.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People make countless plans while forgetting that they may not even have another moment.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Man knows not his next moment On crores of things he is intent
G.U. Pope Translation
Who know not if their happy lives shall last the day,In fancies infinite beguile the hours away
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Innumerable are the thoughts which occupy the mind of (the unwise), who know not that they shall live another moment
Tamil commentary
உயிரும் உடம்பும் இணைந்திருந்தும் உடம்பின் நிலையற்ற தன்மையை ஒரு கணப்பொழுதும் அறிய இயலாதவர் கோடிக்கும் மேலான நினைவுகளை எண்ணி நிற்பர்.
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