Thirukkural 577 in English

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

Tamil original

கண்ணோட்டம் இல்லவர் கண்ணிலர் கண்ணுடையார்
கண்ணோட்டம் இன்மையும் இல்.

Transliteration

Kannottam Illavar Kannilar Kannutaiyaar
Kannottam Inmaiyum Il

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

Men without kind looks are men without eyes; those who (really) have eyes are also not devoid of kind looks

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Eyeless are they whose eyes with no benignant lustre shine;Who've eyes can never lack the light of grace benign

Plain-English Meaning

Men without kind looks are men without eyes; those who (really) have eyes are also not devoid of kind looks

கண்ணோட்டம் இல்லாதவர் கண் இல்லாதவரே; கண் இருப்பவர் கண்ணோட்டம் இல்லாதவராக இருப்பதும் இல்லை.

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