Thirukkural 705 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
குறிப்பிற் குறிப்புணரா வாயின் உறுப்பினுள்
என்ன பயத்தவோ கண்?
Transliteration
Kurippir Kurippunaraa Vaayin Uruppinul
Enna Payaththavo Kan?
Modern English
“Eyes are of little use if they cannot notice the meaning shown by another person's face and actions.”
Modern Interpretation
Eyes are of little use if they cannot notice the meaning shown by another person's face and actions. Seeing a friend force a smile should prompt you to ask whether something is wrong.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Eyes are of little use if they cannot notice the meaning shown by another person's face and actions.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Among senses what for is eye If thought by thought one can't descry?
G.U. Pope Translation
By sign who knows not sings to comprehend, what gain,'Mid all his members, from his eyes does he obtain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Of what use are the eyes amongst one's members, if they cannot by their own indications dive those of another ?
Tamil commentary
ஒருவன் குறிப்பைக் கண்ட பின்பும் அவன் மனக்கருத்தை அறியமுடியவில்லை என்றால், உறுப்புகளுள் சிறந்த கண்களால் என்ன நன்மை?
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