Thirukkural 661 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
வினைத்திட்பம் என்பது ஒருவன் மனத்திட்பம்
மற்றைய எல்லாம் பிற.
Transliteration
Vinaiththitpam Enpadhu Oruvan Manaththitpam
Matraiya Ellaam Pira
Modern English
“Real strength in completing work comes from strength of mind; other skills matter only when determination guides them.”
Modern Interpretation
Real strength in completing work comes from strength of mind; other skills matter only when determination guides them. A talented student still needs the discipline to finish the assignment.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Real strength in completing work comes from strength of mind; other skills matter only when determination guides them.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
A powerful mind does powerful act And all the rest are imperfect
G.U. Pope Translation
What men call 'power in action' know for 'power of mind'Externe to man all other aids you find
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Firmness in action is (simply) one's firmness of mind; all other (abilities) are not of this nature
Tamil commentary
ஒரு செயலை இடையில் விடாது செய்து முடிப்பதற்கான செயல் உறுதி என்பது ஒருவனின் மன உறுதியே. மற்றவை உறுதி எனப்படமாட்டா.
Chapter 67
More from Power in Action
வினைத்திட்பம்
A powerful mind does powerful act And all the rest are imperfect
Kural 662Shun failing fuss; fail not purpose These two are maxims of the wise
Kural 663The strong achieve and then display Woe unto work displayed midway
Kural 664Easy it is to tell a fact But hard it is to know and act
Kural 665Dynamic deeds of a doughty soul Shall win the praise of king and all
Kural 666The will-to-do achieves the deed When mind that wills is strong indeed
Kural 667Scorn not the form: for men there are Like linchpin of big rolling car
Kural 668Waver not; do wakefully The deed resolved purposefully
Kural 669Do with firm will though pains beset The deed that brings delight at last
Kural 670The world merits no other strength But strength of will-to-do at length