Thirukkural 52 in English

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

Tamil original

மனைமாட்சி இல்லாள்கண் இல்லாயின் வாழ்க்கை
எனைமாட்சித் தாயினும் இல்.

Transliteration

Manaimaatchi Illaalkan Illaayin Vaazhkkai
Enaimaatchith Thaayinum Il

English Translation

“Bright is home when wife is chaste If not all greatness is but waste”

Plain-English meaning

If the wife be devoid of domestic excellence, whatever (other) greatness be possessed, the conjugal state, is nothing

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Bright is home when wife is chaste If not all greatness is but waste

G.U. Pope Translation

If household excellence be wanting in the wife,Howe'er with splendour lived, all worthless is the life

Plain-English Meaning

If the wife be devoid of domestic excellence, whatever (other) greatness be possessed, the conjugal state, is nothing

நல்ல குணமும் நல்ல செயல்களும் மனைவியிடம் இல்லாமற் போனால் அவ்வாழ்க்கை எத்தனை சிறப்புகளைப் பெற்றிருந்தாலும் பெறாததே.

Chapter 6

வாழ்க்கைத் துணைநலம்

A good housewife befits the house, Spending with thrift the mate's resource

Bright is home when wife is chaste If not all greatness is but waste

What is rare when wife is good What can be there when she is bad?

What greater fortune is for men Than a constant chaste woman?

Her spouse before God who adores, Is like rain that at request pours

The good wife guards herself from blame, She tends her spouse and brings him fame

Of what avail are watch and ward? Their purity is women's guard

Women who win their husbands' heart Shall flourish where the gods resort

A cuckold has not the lion-like gait Before his detractors aright

An honest wife is home's delight And children good are jewels abright