Thirukkural 664 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
சொல்லுதல் யார்க்கும் எளிய அரியவாம்
சொல்லிய வண்ணம் செயல்.
Transliteration
Solludhal Yaarkkum Eliya Ariyavaam
Solliya Vannam Seyal
Modern English
“Anyone can say what they will do; carrying it out as promised is the hard part.”
Modern Interpretation
Anyone can say what they will do; carrying it out as promised is the hard part. It is easy to announce a study plan, but showing up every day proves it.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Anyone can say what they will do; carrying it out as promised is the hard part.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Easy it is to tell a fact But hard it is to know and act
G.U. Pope Translation
Easy to every man the speech that shows the way;Hard thing to shape one's life by words they say
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
To say (how an act is to be performed) is (indeed) easy for any one; but far difficult it is to do according to what has been said
Tamil commentary
நான் இந்தச் செயலை இப்படிச் செய்யப் போகிறேன் என்று சொல்லுவது எல்லார்க்கும் சுலபம்; சொல்லியபடியே அதைச் செய்து முடிப்பதுதான் கடினம்.
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