Thirukkural 34 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
மனத்துக்கண் மாசிலன் ஆதல் அனைத்தறன்
ஆகுல நீர பிற.
Transliteration
Manaththukkan Maasilan Aadhal Anaiththu
Aran Aakula Neera Pira
Modern English
“True virtue begins with a clean and honest mind.”
Modern Interpretation
True virtue begins with a clean and honest mind. Public displays of goodness mean little if a person secretly plans to deceive or harm others. For example, someone may post about charity online but mistreat the people who work for them. Real virtue is shown when good thoughts and good actions agree, even when nobody is watching.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
True virtue begins with a clean and honest mind.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
In spotless mind virtue is found And not in show and swelling sound
G.U. Pope Translation
Spotless be thou in mind! This only merits virtue's name;All else, mere pomp of idle sound, no real worth can claim
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Let him who does virtuous deeds be of spotless mind; to that extent is virtue; all else is vain show
Tamil commentary
மனத்து அளவில் குற்றம் இல்லாதவனாய் ஆகுக; அறம் என்பது அவ்வளவே; பிற வார்த்தை நடிப்பும், வாழ்க்கை வேடங்களுக்கும் மற்றவர் அறியச் செய்யப்படும் ஆடம்பரங்களே.
Chapter 4
More from Assertion of the Strength of Virtue
அறன் வலியுறுத்தல்
From virtue weal and wealth outflow; What greater good can mankind know?
Kural 32Virtue enhances joy and gain; Forsaking it is fall and pain
Kural 33Perform good deeds as much you can Always and everywhere, o man!
Kural 34In spotless mind virtue is found And not in show and swelling sound
Kural 35Four ills eschew and virtue reach, Lust, anger, envy, evil-speech
Kural 36Do good enow; defer it not A deathless aid in death if sought
Kural 37Litter-bearer and rider say Without a word, the fortune's way
Kural 38Like stones that block rebirth and pain Are doing good and good again
Kural 39Weal flows only from virtue done The rest is rue and renown gone
Kural 40Worthy act is virtue done Vice is what we ought to shun