Thirukkural 70 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
மகன்தந்தைக்கு ஆற்றும் உதவி இவன்தந்தை
என்நோற்றான் கொல் எனும் சொல்.
Transliteration
Makandhandhaikku Aatrum Udhavi Ivandhandhai
Ennotraan Kol Enum Sol
Modern English
“A child's best way of repaying a parent's care is to live so well that others admire the values they were taught.”
Modern Interpretation
A child's best way of repaying a parent's care is to live so well that others admire the values they were taught. This honour comes from conduct, not fame or wealth. For example, when an adult child acts honestly, helps others, and takes responsibility, people may say that the parents raised them exceptionally well.
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Modern Plain English
A child's best way of repaying a parent's care is to live so well that others admire the values they were taught.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The son to sire this word is debt \"What penance such a son begot!\"
G.U. Pope Translation
To sire, what best requital can by grateful child be done?To make men say, 'What merit gained the father such a son?'
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
(So to act) that it may be said "by what great penance did his father beget him," is the benefit which a son should render to his father
Tamil commentary
தன்னைக் கல்வி அறிவு உடையவனாய் ஆளாக்கிய தந்தைக்கு மகன் செய்யும் கைம்மாறு, பிள்ளையின் ஒழுக்கத்தையும் அறிவையும் கண்டவர், இப்பிள்ளையைப் பெறுவதற்கு இவன் தகப்பன் என்ன தவம் செய்தானோ என்று சொல்லும் சொல்லைப் பெற்றுத் தருவதே.
Chapter 7
More from The Wealth of Children
மக்கட்பேறு
The world no higher bliss bestows Than children virtuous and wise
Kural 62No evil comes and no blemish; Noble sons bring all we wish
Kural 63Children are one's wealth indeed Their wealth is measured by their deed
Kural 64The food is more than nectar sweet In which one's children hands insert
Kural 65Children's touch delights the body Sweet to ears are their words lovely
Kural 66The flute and lute are sweet they say Deaf to baby's babble's lay!
Kural 67A father's duty to his son is To seat him in front of the wise
Kural 68With joy the hearts of parents swell To see their children themselves excel
Kural 69The mother, hearing her son's merit Delights more than when she begot
Kural 70The son to sire this word is debt \"What penance such a son begot!\"