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
Modern English
“A person's drive is a deeper form of wealth than possessions; without it, other advantages may go unused.”
Modern Interpretation
A person's drive is a deeper form of wealth than possessions; without it, other advantages may go unused. A student with little equipment but steady effort can accomplish more than someone with every resource and no motivation.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A person's drive is a deeper form of wealth than possessions; without it, other advantages may go unused.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Energy makes out the man of property; as for those who are destitute of it, do they (really) possess what they possess ?
Tamil commentary
ஊக்கம் உடையவரே எல்லாவற்றையும் உடையவர்; ஊக்கம் இல்லாதவர் வேறு எதை உடையவர் என்றாலும் உடையவர் ஆவாரே?
Chapter 60
More from Energy
ஊக்கம் உடைமை
To own is to own energy All others own but lethargy
Kural 592Psychic heart is wealth indeed Worldly wealth departs in speed
Kural 593The strong in will do not complain The loss of worldly wealth and gain
Kural 594Fortune enquires, enters with boom Where tireless strivers have their home
Kural 595Water depth is lotus height Mental strength is men's merit
Kural 596Let thoughts be always great and grand Though they fail their virtues stand
Kural 597Elephants are firm when arrows hit Great minds keep fit ev'n in defeat
Kural 598Heartless persons cannot boast \"We are liberal to our best\"
Kural 599Huge elephant sharp in tusk quails When tiger, less in form, assails
Kural 600Mental courage is true manhood Lacking that man is like a wood