Thirukkural 707 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
முகத்தின் முதுக்குறைந்தது உண்டோ உவப்பினும்
காயினும் தான்முந் துறும்.
Transliteration
Mukaththin Mudhukkuraindhadhu Unto Uvappinum
Kaayinum Thaanmun Thurum
Modern English
“The face often reveals liking or dislike before a person can explain it, making it a remarkably wise signal.”
Modern Interpretation
The face often reveals liking or dislike before a person can explain it, making it a remarkably wise signal. A friend's face may light up at a surprise gift before they manage to say thank you.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
The face often reveals liking or dislike before a person can explain it, making it a remarkably wise signal.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Than face what is subtler to tell First if the mind feels well or ill
G.U. Pope Translation
Than speaking countenance hath aught more prescient skill?Rejoice or burn with rage, 'tis the first herald still
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Is there anything so full of knowledge as the face ? (No) it precedes the mind, whether (the latter is) pleased or vexed
Tamil commentary
ஒருவன் மனத்தால் விரும்பினாலும் வெறுத்தாலும் அதை வெளிக்காட்டுவதில் முந்தி நிற்கும் முகத்தைக் காட்டிலும் அறிவு மிக்கது வேறு உண்டோ?
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