Thirukkural 614 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தாளாண்மை இல்லாதான் வேளாண்மை பேடிகை
வாளாண்மை போலக் கெடும்.
Transliteration
Thaalaanmai Illaadhaan Velaanmai Petikai
Vaalaanmai Polak Ketum
Modern English
“Promises to help are useless without the effort needed to carry them out, like a powerless person waving a sword.”
Modern Interpretation
Promises to help are useless without the effort needed to carry them out, like a powerless person waving a sword. For example, offering to organize an event means little if you will not do the planning and follow-through.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
Promises to help are useless without the effort needed to carry them out, like a powerless person waving a sword.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Bounty of man who never strives Like sword in eunuch's hand it fails
G.U. Pope Translation
Beneficent intent in men by whom no strenuous work is wrought,Like battle-axe in sexless being's hand availeth nought
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The liberality of him, who does not labour, will fail, like the manliness of a hermaphrodite, who has a sword in its hand
Tamil commentary
முயற்சி இல்லாதவன், பிறர்க்கு உதவுவேன் என்பது, படை கண்டு நடுங்கும் பேடி, களத்துள் நின்று தன் கை வாளைச் சுழற்றுதல் போல ஒரு பயனும் இல்லாமல் போகும்.
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