Thirukkural 576 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
மண்ணோ டியைந்த மரத்தனையர் கண்ணோ
டியைந்துகண் ணோடா தவர்.
Transliteration
Manno Tiyaindha Maraththanaiyar Kanno
Tiyaindhukan Notaa Thavar
Modern English
“People who have eyes but never look on others with compassion are like trees: alive in form but not responsive in spirit.”
Modern Interpretation
People who have eyes but never look on others with compassion are like trees: alive in form but not responsive in spirit. A student who notices a classmate crying yet walks past has missed the human duty of care.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People who have eyes but never look on others with compassion are like trees: alive in form but not responsive in spirit.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Like trees on inert earth they grow Who don't eye to eye kindness show
G.U. Pope Translation
Whose eyes 'neath brow infixed diffuse no rayOf grace; like tree in earth infixed are they
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
They resemble the trees of the earth, who although they have eyes, never look kindly (on others)
Tamil commentary
கண் பெற்றிருந்தும் கண்ணோட்டம் இல்லாதவர் இயங்கினாலும் மண்ணோடு சேர்ந்து இயங்காமல் நிற்கும் மரம் போன்றவரே.
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