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

English Translation

“Of tuneless song what is the use? Without gracious looks what are eyes?”

Plain-English meaning

Of what avail is a song if it be inconsistent with harmony ? what is the use of eyes which possess no kindliness

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

Of what avail is a song if it be inconsistent with harmony ? what is the use of eyes which possess no kindliness

பாடப்படும் பாடலுக்குப் பொருந்தவில்லை என்றால் ராகத்தால் என்ன பயன்? அதுபோல கண்ணோட்டம் இல்லை என்றால் கண்ணால்தான் என்ன பயன்?

Chapter 58

கண்ணோட்டம்

Living in the world implies The bounteous dame of benign eyes

World lives by looks of lovely worth Who lack them are burdens of earth

Of tuneless song what is the use? Without gracious looks what are eyes?

Except that they are on the face What for are eyes sans measured grace

Kind looks are jewels for eyes to wear Without them they are felt as sore

Like trees on inert earth they grow Who don't eye to eye kindness show

Ungracious men lack real eyes Men of real eyes show benign grace

Who gracious are but dutiful Have right for this earth beautiful

To be benign and bear with foes Who vex us is true virtue's phase

Men of graceful courtesy Take hemlock and look cheerfully