Thirukkural 40 in English

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

Tamil original

செயற்பால தோரும் அறனே ஒருவற்கு
உயற்பால தோரும் பழி.

Transliteration

Seyarpaala Thorum Arane Oruvarku
Uyarpaala Thorum Pazhi

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

That is virtue which each ought to do, and that is vice which each should shun

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

'Virtue' sums the things that should be done;'Vice' sums the things that man should shun

Plain-English Meaning

That is virtue which each ought to do, and that is vice which each should shun

ஒருவன் செய்யத் தக்கது அறமே; விட்டுவிடத் தக்கவை தீய செயல்களே.

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