Thirukkural 573 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பண்என்னாம் பாடற்கு இயைபின்றேல் கண்என்னாம்
கண்ணோட்டம் இல்லாத கண்.
Transliteration
Panennaam Paatarku Iyaipindrel Kanennaam
Kannottam Illaadha Kan
Modern English
“Eyes are not truly useful if they see people but show no compassion, just as music fails without harmony.”
Modern Interpretation
Eyes are not truly useful if they see people but show no compassion, just as music fails without harmony. Noticing a classmate being left out and choosing to include them gives sight a human purpose.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Eyes are not truly useful if they see people but show no compassion, just as music fails without harmony.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Of tuneless song what is the use? Without gracious looks what are eyes?
G.U. Pope Translation
Where not accordant with the song, what use of sounding chordsWhat gain of eye that no benignant light affords
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Of what avail is a song if it be inconsistent with harmony ? what is the use of eyes which possess no kindliness
Tamil commentary
பாடப்படும் பாடலுக்குப் பொருந்தவில்லை என்றால் ராகத்தால் என்ன பயன்? அதுபோல கண்ணோட்டம் இல்லை என்றால் கண்ணால்தான் என்ன பயன்?
Chapter 58
More from Benignity
கண்ணோட்டம்
Living in the world implies The bounteous dame of benign eyes
Kural 572World lives by looks of lovely worth Who lack them are burdens of earth
Kural 573Of tuneless song what is the use? Without gracious looks what are eyes?
Kural 574Except that they are on the face What for are eyes sans measured grace
Kural 575Kind looks are jewels for eyes to wear Without them they are felt as sore
Kural 576Like trees on inert earth they grow Who don't eye to eye kindness show
Kural 577Ungracious men lack real eyes Men of real eyes show benign grace
Kural 578Who gracious are but dutiful Have right for this earth beautiful
Kural 579To be benign and bear with foes Who vex us is true virtue's phase
Kural 580Men of graceful courtesy Take hemlock and look cheerfully