Thirukkural 574 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
உளபோல் முகத்தெவன் செய்யும் அளவினால்
கண்ணோட்டம் இல்லாத கண்.
Transliteration
Ulapol Mukaththevan Seyyum Alavinaal
Kannottam Illaadha Kan
Modern English
“Eyes that never lead to care may be present in the face but do little good.”
Modern Interpretation
Eyes that never lead to care may be present in the face but do little good. A friend who watches someone struggle and refuses even a simple check-in is seeing without concern.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Eyes that never lead to care may be present in the face but do little good.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Except that they are on the face What for are eyes sans measured grace
G.U. Pope Translation
The seeming eye of face gives no expressive light,When not with duly meted kindness bright
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Beyond appearing to be in the face, what good do they do, those eyes in which is no well-regulated kindness ?
Tamil commentary
வரம்பிற்கு உட்பட்ட கண்ணோட்டம் இல்லாத கண், முகத்தில் இருப்பது போல் இருக்கிறதே தவிர, அதனால் வேறு என்ன பயன் உண்டு?
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