Thirukkural 420 in English

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

Tamil original

செவியிற் சுவையுணரா வாயுணர்வின் மாக்கள்
அவியினும் வாழினும் என்?

Transliteration

Seviyir Suvaiyunaraa Vaayunarvin Maakkal
Aviyinum Vaazhinum En?

English Translation

“Who taste by mouth and not by ear What if they fare ill or well here?”

Plain-English meaning

What does it matter whether those men live or die, who can judge of tastes by the mouth, and not by the ear ?

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

Who taste by mouth and not by ear What if they fare ill or well here?

G.U. Pope Translation

His mouth can taste, but ear no taste of joy can give!What matter if he die, or prosperous live

Plain-English Meaning

What does it matter whether those men live or die, who can judge of tastes by the mouth, and not by the ear ?

செவியால் நுகரப்படும் சுவைகளை உணராமல், வாயால் அறியப்படும் சுவைகளை மட்டுமே அறியும் மனிதர் இருந்தால் என்ன? இறந்தால்தான் என்ன?

Chapter 42

கேள்வி

Wealth of wealths is listening's wealth It is the best of wealths on earth

Some food for the stomach is brought When the ear gets no food for thought

Whose ears get lots of wisdom-food Equal gods on oblations fed

Though not learned, hear and heed That serves a staff and stay in need

Virtuous men's wisdom is found A strong staff on slippery ground

Lend ear to good words however few That much will highly exalt you

Who listen well and learn sharply Not ev'n by slip speak foolishly

That ear though hearing is dulled Which is not by wisdom drilled

A modest mouth is hard for those Who care little to counsels wise

Who taste by mouth and not by ear What if they fare ill or well here?