Thirukkural 538 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
புகழ்ந்தவை போற்றிச் செயல்வேண்டும் செய்யாது
இகழ்ந்தார்க்கு எழுமையும் இல்.
Transliteration
Pukazhndhavai Potrich Cheyalventum Seyyaadhu
Ikazhndhaarkku Ezhumaiyum Il
Modern English
“Respect the good practices praised by wise people and make them part of your life; simply admiring them is not enough.”
Modern Interpretation
Respect the good practices praised by wise people and make them part of your life; simply admiring them is not enough. For example, a student who praises honesty but cheats when work is hard gains no lasting benefit.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Respect the good practices praised by wise people and make them part of your life; simply admiring them is not enough.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Do what the wise commend as worth If not, for seven births no mirth
G.U. Pope Translation
Let things that merit praise thy watchful soul employ;Who these despise attain through sevenfold births no joy
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Let (a man) observe and do these things which have been praised (by the wise); if he neglects and fails to perform them, for him there will be no (happiness) throughout the seven births
Tamil commentary
உயர்ந்தோர் புகழ்ந்து சொன்னவற்றை விரும்பிக் கடைப்பிடிக்க வேண்டும். கடைப்பிடிக்க மறந்தவர்க்கு ஏழு பிறப்பிலும் நன்மை இல்லை.
Chapter 54
More from Unforgetfulness
பொச்சாவாமை
Worse than wrath in excess is Forgetfulness in joy-excess
Kural 532Negligence kills renown just as Ceaseless want wisdom destroys
Kural 533Forgetful nature fails of fame All schools of thinkers say the same
Kural 534The fearful find no fortress here The forgetful find good never
Kural 535Failing foresight the guardless man Shall rue his folly later on
Kural 536Forget none; watch with wakeful care Miss none; the gain is sans compare
Kural 537With cautious care pursue a thing Impossible there is nothing
Kural 538Do what the wise commend as worth If not, for seven births no mirth
Kural 539When joy deludes, their fate recall Whom negligence has made to fall
Kural 540Easy it is a thing to get When the mind on it is set