Thirukkural 656 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

ஈன்றாள் பசிகாண்பான் ஆயினுஞ் செய்யற்க
சான்றோர் பழிக்கும் வினை.

Transliteration

Eendraal Pasikaanpaan Aayinunj Cheyyarka
Saandror Pazhikkum Vinai

English Translation

“Though she who begot thee hungers Shun acts denounced by ancient seers”

Plain-English meaning

Though a minister may see his mother starve; let him do not act which the wise would (treat with contempt)

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Though she who begot thee hungers Shun acts denounced by ancient seers

G.U. Pope Translation

Though her that bore thee hung'ring thou behold, no deedDo thou, that men of perfect soul have crime decreed

Plain-English Meaning

Though a minister may see his mother starve; let him do not act which the wise would (treat with contempt)

தன்னைப் பெற்றவனின் பசியைக் காண நேர்ந்தாலும் அதைப் போக்கப் பெருமக்கள் பழிக்கும் செயல்களைச் செய்யாது விடுக.

Chapter 66

வினைத் தூய்மை

Friendship brings gain; but action pure Does every good thing we desire

Eschew always acts that do not Bring good nor glory on their part

Those in the world desire for fame Should shun the deed that dims their name

Though perils press the faultless wise Shun deeds of mean, shameful device

Do not wrong act and grieve, \"Alas\" If done, do not repeat it twice

Though she who begot thee hungers Shun acts denounced by ancient seers

Pinching poverty of the wise Is more than wealth hoarded by Vice

Those who dare a forbidden deed Suffer troubles though they succeed

Gains from weeping, weeping go Though lost, from good deeds blessings flow

The wealth gathered in guilty ways Is water poured in wet clay vase