Thirukkural 612 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
வினைக்கண் வினைகெடல் ஓம்பல் வினைக்குறை
தீர்ந்தாரின் தீர்ந்தன்று உலகு.
Transliteration
Vinaikkan Vinaiketal Ompal Vinaikkurai
Theerndhaarin Theerndhandru Ulaku
Modern English
“Do not abandon a task halfway through, because the world loses trust in people who leave their work unfinished.”
Modern Interpretation
Do not abandon a task halfway through, because the world loses trust in people who leave their work unfinished. For example, a group project succeeds only when someone follows the plan through to the final detail.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Do not abandon a task halfway through, because the world loses trust in people who leave their work unfinished.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
In doing work don't break and shirk The world will quit who quits his work
G.U. Pope Translation
In action be thou, 'ware of act's defeat;The world leaves those who work leave incomplete
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Take care not to give up exertion in the midst of a work; the world will abandon those who abandon their unfinished work
Tamil commentary
ஒரு செயலைச் செய்யும்போதே, அதைத் தொடர்ந்து செய்வது கடினம் என எண்ணிச் செய்யாது விட்டுவிடாதே. அவ்வாறு விட்டுவிடுபவரை இந்த உலகமும் விட்டுவிடும்.
Chapter 62
More from Manly Effort
ஆள்வினை உடைமை
Feel not frustrate saying This hard Who tries attains striving's reward
Kural 612In doing work don't break and shirk The world will quit who quits his work
Kural 613On excellence of industry Depends magnanimous bounty
Kural 614Bounty of man who never strives Like sword in eunuch's hand it fails
Kural 615Work who likes and not pleasure Wipes grief of friends, pillar secure
Kural 616Industry adds prosperity Indolence brings but poverty
Kural 617Illuck abides with sloth they say *Laxmi's gifts with labourers stay *Laxmi the Goddes of wealth and prosperity
Kural 618Misfortune is disgrace to none The shame is nothing learnt or done
Kural 619Though fate is against fulfilment Hard labour has ready payment
Kural 620Tireless Toiler's striving hand Shall leave even the fate behind