Thirukkural 51 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
மனைக்தக்க மாண்புடையள் ஆகித்தற் கொண்டான்
வளத்தக்காள் வாழ்க்கைத் துணை.
Transliteration
Manaikdhakka Maanputaiyal Aakiththar Kontaan
Valaththakkaal Vaazhkkaith Thunai
Modern English
“A good life partner brings kindness, responsibility, and practical wisdom to the home.”
Modern Interpretation
A good life partner brings kindness, responsibility, and practical wisdom to the home. They manage shared resources thoughtfully and do not spend beyond what the family can afford. For example, partners who plan their budget together, support each other's goals, and handle difficulties calmly create a stronger home than people who care only about appearances.
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Modern Plain English
A good life partner brings kindness, responsibility, and practical wisdom to the home.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
A good housewife befits the house, Spending with thrift the mate's resource
G.U. Pope Translation
As doth the house beseem, she shows her wifely dignity;As doth her husband's wealth befit, she spends: help - meet is she
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
She who has the excellence of home virtues, and can expend within the means of her husband, is a help in the domestic state
Tamil commentary
பிறந்த, புகுந்த குடும்பங்களுக்கு ஏற்ற நல்ல குணம், நல்ல செயல்களை உடையவளாய்த், தன்னை மணந்தவனின் வருவாய்க்கு ஏற்ப வாழ்க்கையை அமைப்பவளே மனைவி.
Chapter 6
More from The Worth of a Wife
வாழ்க்கைத் துணைநலம்
A good housewife befits the house, Spending with thrift the mate's resource
Kural 52Bright is home when wife is chaste If not all greatness is but waste
Kural 53What is rare when wife is good What can be there when she is bad?
Kural 54What greater fortune is for men Than a constant chaste woman?
Kural 55Her spouse before God who adores, Is like rain that at request pours
Kural 56The good wife guards herself from blame, She tends her spouse and brings him fame
Kural 57Of what avail are watch and ward? Their purity is women's guard
Kural 58Women who win their husbands' heart Shall flourish where the gods resort
Kural 59A cuckold has not the lion-like gait Before his detractors aright
Kural 60An honest wife is home's delight And children good are jewels abright