Thirukkural 38 in English

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

Tamil original

வீழ்நாள் படாஅமை நன்றாற்றின் அஃதொருவன்
வாழ்நாள் வழியடைக்கும் கல்.

Transliteration

Veezhnaal Pataaamai Nandraatrin Aqdhoruvan
Vaazhnaal Vazhiyataikkum Kal

English Translation

“Like stones that block rebirth and pain Are doing good and good again”

Plain-English meaning

If one allows no day to pass without some good being done, his conduct will be a stone to block up the passage to other births

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

Like stones that block rebirth and pain Are doing good and good again

G.U. Pope Translation

If no day passing idly, good to do each day you toil,A stone it will be to block the way of future days of moil

Plain-English Meaning

If one allows no day to pass without some good being done, his conduct will be a stone to block up the passage to other births

அறத்தை செய்யாது விட்ட நாள் இல்லை என்று சொல்லும்படி ஒருவன் அறம் செய்தால், அச்செயலே, அவன் திரும்பப் பிறக்கும் வழியை அடைக்கும் கல் ஆகும்.

Chapter 4

அறன் வலியுறுத்தல்

From virtue weal and wealth outflow; What greater good can mankind know?

Virtue enhances joy and gain; Forsaking it is fall and pain

Perform good deeds as much you can Always and everywhere, o man!

In spotless mind virtue is found And not in show and swelling sound

Four ills eschew and virtue reach, Lust, anger, envy, evil-speech

Do good enow; defer it not A deathless aid in death if sought

Litter-bearer and rider say Without a word, the fortune's way

Like stones that block rebirth and pain Are doing good and good again

Weal flows only from virtue done The rest is rue and renown gone

Worthy act is virtue done Vice is what we ought to shun