Thirukkural 704 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
குறித்தது கூறாமைக் கொள்வாரோ டேனை
உறுப்போ ரனையரால் வேறு.
Transliteration
Kuriththadhu Kooraamaik Kolvaaro Tenai
Uruppo Ranaiyaraal Veru
Modern English
“People may look alike, but they differ greatly in their ability to understand what others mean without being told.”
Modern Interpretation
People may look alike, but they differ greatly in their ability to understand what others mean without being told. In a group project, one student catches a partner's hesitation while another misses every hint.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People may look alike, but they differ greatly in their ability to understand what others mean without being told.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Untold, he who divines the thought Though same in form is quite apart
G.U. Pope Translation
Who reads what's shown by signs, though words unspoken be,In form may seem as other men, in function nobler far is he
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Those who understand one's thoughts without being informed (thereof) and those who do not, may (indeed) resemble one another bodily; still are they different (mentally)
Tamil commentary
ஒருவன் மனத்துள் நினைப்பதை அவன் சொல்லாமலேயே அறியம் ஆற்றல் உடையவரோடு அந்த ஆற்றல் இல்லாதவர் உறுப்பால் ஒத்தவர்; அறிவால் வேறுபட்டவர் ஆவார்.
Chapter 71
More from The Knowledge of Indications
குறிப்பறிதல்
Who reads the mind by look, untold Adorns the changeless sea-girt world
Kural 702Take him as God who reads the thought Of another man with without a doubt
Kural 703By sign who scans the sign admit At any cost in cabinet
Kural 704Untold, he who divines the thought Though same in form is quite apart
Kural 705Among senses what for is eye If thought by thought one can't descry?
Kural 706What throbs in mind the face reflects Just as mirror nearby objects
Kural 707Than face what is subtler to tell First if the mind feels well or ill
Kural 708Just standing in front would suffice For those who read the mind on face
Kural 709Friend or foe the eyes will show To those who changing outlooks know
Kural 710The scale of keen discerning minds Is eye and eye that secrets finds