Thirukkural 579 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஒறுத்தாற்றும் பண்பினார் கண்ணும்கண் ணோடிப்
பொறுத்தாற்றும் பண்பே தலை.
Transliteration
Oruththaatrum Panpinaar Kannumkan Notip
Poruththaatrum Panpe Thalai
Modern English
“The highest patience is to show kindness even to someone who has hurt you, without abandoning justice.”
Modern Interpretation
The highest patience is to show kindness even to someone who has hurt you, without abandoning justice. Answering a rude message calmly instead of escalating can stop a conflict from spreading.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
The highest patience is to show kindness even to someone who has hurt you, without abandoning justice.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
To be benign and bear with foes Who vex us is true virtue's phase
G.U. Pope Translation
To smile on those that vex, with kindly face,Enduring long, is most excelling grace
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Patiently to bear with, and show kindness to those who grieve us, is the most excellent of all dispositions
Tamil commentary
தம்மை வருத்தும் இயல்புடையவரிடத்திலும் கண்ணோட்டம் கொண்டு, அவர்தம் பிழையைப் பொறுக்கும் பண்பே சிறந்தது.
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