Thirukkural 617 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
மடியுளாள் மாமுகடி என்ப மடியிலான்
தாளுளான் தாமரையி னாள்.
Transliteration
Matiyulaal Maamukati Enpa Matiyilaan
Thaalulaan Thaamaraiyi Naal
Modern English
“Laziness invites hardship, while steady effort opens the way to prosperity.”
Modern Interpretation
Laziness invites hardship, while steady effort opens the way to prosperity. For example, a young worker who keeps building skills and showing up reliably is more likely to find good opportunities.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Laziness invites hardship, while steady effort opens the way to prosperity.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Illuck abides with sloth they say *Laxmi's gifts with labourers stay *Laxmi the Goddes of wealth and prosperity
G.U. Pope Translation
In sluggishness is seen misfortune's lurid form, the wise declare;Where man unslothful toils, she of the lotus flower is there
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
They say that the black Mudevi (the goddess of adversity) dwells with laziness, and the Latchmi (the goddess of prosperity) dwells with the labour of the industrious
Tamil commentary
சோம்பி இருப்பவனிடம் மூதேவி தங்குவான். சோம்பாதவனின் முயற்சியில் திருமகள் தங்குவாள் என்பர்.
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