Thirukkural 595 in English

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

Tamil original

வெள்ளத் தனைய மலர்நீட்டம் மாந்தர்தம்
உள்ளத் தனையது உயர்வு.

Transliteration

Vellath Thanaiya Malarneettam Maandhardham
Ullath Thanaiyadhu Uyarvu

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

The stalks of water-flowers are proportionate to the depth of water; so is men's greatness proportionate to their minds

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

With rising flood the rising lotus flower its stem unwinds;The dignity of men is measured by their minds

Plain-English Meaning

The stalks of water-flowers are proportionate to the depth of water; so is men's greatness proportionate to their minds

நீர்ப்பூக்களின் அடிக்காம்பின் நீளம் நீரின் அளவே. அது போல மக்களின் உயர்வும் அவர்களின் மன ஊக்கத்தின் அளவே.

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