Thirukkural 637 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
செயற்கை அறிந்தக் கடைத்தும் உலகத்து
இயற்கை அறிந்து செயல்.
Transliteration
Seyarkai Arindhak Kataiththum Ulakaththu
Iyarkai Arindhu Seyal
Modern English
“Knowing the theory of an action is not enough; you must understand real people and circumstances and act accordingly.”
Modern Interpretation
Knowing the theory of an action is not enough; you must understand real people and circumstances and act accordingly. For example, a well-designed app will fail if its creator ignores how the community will actually use it.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Knowing the theory of an action is not enough; you must understand real people and circumstances and act accordingly.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Albeit you know to act from books Act after knowing world's outlooks
G.U. Pope Translation
Though knowing all that books can teach, 'tis truest tactTo follow common sense of men in act
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Though you are acquainted with the (theoretical) methods (of performing an act), understand the ways of the world and act accordingly
Tamil commentary
பல்வேறு மொழி நாட்டு நூல்களின் வழி, புதிய செயல் திறங்களை அறிந்திருந்தாலும், தன் நாட்டின் இயற்கை மக்கள் இயல்பு ஆகியவற்றை அறிந்து அவற்றிற்கு ஏற்பச் செய்க.
Chapter 64
More from The Office of Minister of state
அமைச்சு
He is minister who chooses Right means, time, mode and rare ventures
Kural 632With these he guards people, -by his Knowledge, firmness and manliness
Kural 633A minister cherishes friends Divides foes and the parted blends
Kural 634A minister must sift reflect Select and say surely one fact
Kural 635Have him for help who virtue knows Right wisdom speaks, ever apt in acts
Kural 636Which subtler brain can stand before The keen in brain with learned love?
Kural 637Albeit you know to act from books Act after knowing world's outlooks
Kural 638The man in place must tell the facts Though the ignorant king refutes
Kural 639Seventy crores of foes are better Than a minister with mind bitter
Kural 640The unresolved, though well designed To fulfil an act they have no mind