Thirukkural 68 in English

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

Tamil original

தம்மின்தம் மக்கள் அறிவுடைமை மாநிலத்து
மன்னுயிர்க் கெல்லாம் இனிது.

Transliteration

Thammindham Makkal Arivutaimai Maanilaththu
Mannuyirk Kellaam Inidhu

English Translation

“With joy the hearts of parents swell To see their children themselves excel”

Plain-English meaning

That their children should possess knowledge is more pleasing to all men of this great earth than to themselves

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

With joy the hearts of parents swell To see their children themselves excel

G.U. Pope Translation

Their children's wisdom greater than their own confessed,Through the wide world is sweet to every human breast

Plain-English Meaning

That their children should possess knowledge is more pleasing to all men of this great earth than to themselves

தம் பிள்ளைகள் அறிவு மிக்கவராக இருப்பது, தம்மைக் காட்டிலும், இப்பெரிய பூமியில் அழியாமல் தொடரும் உயிர்களுக்கு எல்லாம் இனிது.

Chapter 7

மக்கட்பேறு

The world no higher bliss bestows Than children virtuous and wise

No evil comes and no blemish; Noble sons bring all we wish

Children are one's wealth indeed Their wealth is measured by their deed

The food is more than nectar sweet In which one's children hands insert

Children's touch delights the body Sweet to ears are their words lovely

The flute and lute are sweet they say Deaf to baby's babble's lay!

A father's duty to his son is To seat him in front of the wise

With joy the hearts of parents swell To see their children themselves excel

The mother, hearing her son's merit Delights more than when she begot

The son to sire this word is debt \"What penance such a son begot!\"