Thirukkural 5 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
இருள்சேர் இருவினையும் சேரா இறைவன்
பொருள்சேர் புகழ்புரிந்தார் மாட்டு.
Transliteration
Irulser Iruvinaiyum Seraa Iraivan
Porulser Pukazhpurindhaar Maattu
Modern English
“Many problems in life begin when we act without understanding the full picture.”
Modern Interpretation
Many problems in life begin when we act without understanding the full picture. We make quick judgments, react emotionally, or follow misinformation. People who actively seek truth, wisdom, and self-awareness make better decisions and avoid many unnecessary troubles. For example, during a misunderstanding between friends, one person immediately gets angry and ends the friendship, while another takes time to understand what really happened before reacting. The second person avoids pain because they chose clarity over confusion. This Kural reminds us that wisdom protects us from the consequences of actions driven by ignorance.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Many problems in life begin when we act without understanding the full picture.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
God's praise who tell, are free from right And wrong, the twins of dreaming night
G.U. Pope Translation
The men, who on the 'King's' true praised delight to dwell,Affects not them the fruit of deeds done ill or well
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The two-fold deeds that spring from darkness shall not adhere to those who delight in the true praise of God
Tamil commentary
கடவுளின் மெய்மைப் புகழையே விரும்புபவரிடம் அறியாமை இருளால் வரும் நல்வினை, தீவினை என்னும் இரண்டும் சேருவதில்லை
Chapter 1
More from The Praise of God
கடவுள் வாழ்த்து
'A' leads letters; the Ancient Lord Leads and lords the entire world
Kural 2That lore is vain which does not fall At His good feet who knoweth all
Kural 3Long they live on earth who gain The feet of God in florid brain
Kural 4Who hold His feet who likes nor loathes Are free from woes of human births
Kural 5God's praise who tell, are free from right And wrong, the twins of dreaming night
Kural 6They prosper long who walk His way Who has the senses signed away
Kural 7His feet, whose likeness none can find, Alone can ease the anxious mind
Kural 8Who swims the sea of vice is he Who clasps the feet of Virtue's sea
Kural 9Like senses stale that head is vain Which bows not to Eight-Virtued Divine
Kural 10The sea of births they alone swim Who clench His feet and cleave to Him