Thirukkural 603 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
மடிமடிக் கொண்டொழுகும் பேதை பிறந்த
குடிமடியும் தன்னினும் முந்து.
Transliteration
Matimatik Kontozhukum Pedhai Pirandha
Kutimatiyum Thanninum Mundhu
Modern English
“A foolish person who lives lazily can see their family's good name fade before their own life changes.”
Modern Interpretation
A foolish person who lives lazily can see their family's good name fade before their own life changes. For example, repeatedly neglecting work or school can bring shame to everyone who supports them.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A foolish person who lives lazily can see their family's good name fade before their own life changes.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The fool who fosters sluggishness Before he dies ruins his house
G.U. Pope Translation
Who fosters indolence within his breast, the silly elf!The house from which he springs shall perish ere himself
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The (lustre of the) family of the ignorant man, who acts under the influence of destructive laziness will perish, even before he is dead
Tamil commentary
விட்டுவிட வேண்டிய சோம்பலைத் தனக்குள்ளே கொண்டு வாழும் அறிவற்றவன் பிறந்த குடும்பம் அவனுக்கும் முன்பே அழிந்துவிடும்.
Chapter 61
More from Unsluggishness
மடி இன்மை
Quenchless lamp of ancestry goes When foul idleness encloses
Kural 602To make your home an ideal home Loath sloth as sloth; refuse it room
Kural 603The fool who fosters sluggishness Before he dies ruins his house
Kural 604Who strive not high, sunk deep in sloth Ruin their house by evil growth
Kural 605To lag, forget, idle and doze These four are pleasure boats of loss
Kural 606With all the wealth of lords of earth The slothful gain nothing of worth
Kural 607The slothful lacking noble deeds Subject themselves to scornful words
Kural 608If sloth invades a noble house It will become a slave of foes
Kural 609The blots on race and rule shall cease When one from sloth gets his release
Kural 610The slothless king shall gain en masse *All regions trod by Lord apace * Hindu mythology holds that Lord Vishnu measured with his feet the three worlds