Thirukkural 618 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பொறியின்மை யார்க்கும் பழியன்று அறிவறிந்து
ஆள்வினை இன்மை பழி.
Transliteration
Poriyinmai Yaarkkum Pazhiyandru Arivarindhu
Aalvinai Inmai Pazhi
Modern English
“Lacking good fortune or natural ability is not a disgrace; refusing to learn and act on what you know is.”
Modern Interpretation
Lacking good fortune or natural ability is not a disgrace; refusing to learn and act on what you know is. For example, a student may struggle with a subject, but failing to prepare or seek help is the greater fault.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
Lacking good fortune or natural ability is not a disgrace; refusing to learn and act on what you know is.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Misfortune is disgrace to none The shame is nothing learnt or done
G.U. Pope Translation
'Tis no reproach unpropitious fate should ban;But not to do man's work is foul disgrace to man
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Adverse fate is no disgrace to any one; to be without exertion and without knowing what should be known, is disgrace
Tamil commentary
உடல் உறுப்பு, செயலற்று இருப்பது குறை ஆகாது. அறிய வேண்டியவதை அறிந்து முயற்சி செய்யாது இருப்பதே குறை.
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