Thirukkural 600 in English

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

Tamil original

உரமொருவற்கு உள்ள வெறுக்கைஅஃ தில்லார்
மரம்மக்க ளாதலே வேறு.

Transliteration

Uramoruvarku Ulla Verukkaiaq Thillaar
Marammakka Laadhale Veru

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

Energy is mental wealth; those men who are destitute of it are only trees in the form of men

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Firmness of soul in man is real excellance;Others are trees, their human form a mere pretence

Plain-English Meaning

Energy is mental wealth; those men who are destitute of it are only trees in the form of men

ஊக்க மிகுதியே ஒருவனுக்குத் திண்ணிய அறிவு. அவ்வூக்கம் இல்லாதவர் வடிவத்தால் மக்கள்; மனத்தாலோ வெறும் மரமே.

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