Thirukkural 575 in English

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

Tamil original

கண்ணிற்கு அணிகலம் கண்ணோட்டம் அஃதின்றேல்
புண்ணென்று உணரப் படும்

Transliteration

Kannirku Anikalam Kannottam Aqdhindrel
Punnendru Unarap Patum

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

Kind looks are the ornaments of the eyes; without these they will be considered (by the wise) to be merely two sores

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Benignity is eyes' adorning grace;Without it eyes are wounds disfiguring face

Plain-English Meaning

Kind looks are the ornaments of the eyes; without these they will be considered (by the wise) to be merely two sores

ஒருவன் கண்ணிற்கு அணியும் நகை கண்ணோட்டமே; அந்த நகை மட்டும் இல்லை என்றால் அது புண் என்று பெரியோரால் அறியப்படும்.

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