Thirukkural 591 in English

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

Tamil original

உடையர் எனப்படுவது ஊக்கம் அஃதில்லார்
உடையது உடையரோ மற்று.

Transliteration

Utaiyar Enappatuvadhu Ookkam Aqdhillaar
Utaiyadhu Utaiyaro Matru

English Translation

“To own is to own energy All others own but lethargy”

Plain-English meaning

Energy makes out the man of property; as for those who are destitute of it, do they (really) possess what they possess ?

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

To own is to own energy All others own but lethargy

G.U. Pope Translation

'Tis energy gives men o'er that they own a true control;They nothing own who own not energy of soul

Plain-English Meaning

Energy makes out the man of property; as for those who are destitute of it, do they (really) possess what they possess ?

ஊக்கம் உடையவரே எல்லாவற்றையும் உடையவர்; ஊக்கம் இல்லாதவர் வேறு எதை உடையவர் என்றாலும் உடையவர் ஆவாரே?

Chapter 60

ஊக்கம் உடைமை

To own is to own energy All others own but lethargy

Psychic heart is wealth indeed Worldly wealth departs in speed

The strong in will do not complain The loss of worldly wealth and gain

Fortune enquires, enters with boom Where tireless strivers have their home

Water depth is lotus height Mental strength is men's merit

Let thoughts be always great and grand Though they fail their virtues stand

Elephants are firm when arrows hit Great minds keep fit ev'n in defeat

Heartless persons cannot boast \"We are liberal to our best\"

Huge elephant sharp in tusk quails When tiger, less in form, assails

Mental courage is true manhood Lacking that man is like a wood