Thirukkural 76 in English

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

Tamil original

அறத்திற்கே அன்புசார் பென்ப அறியார்
மறத்திற்கும் அஃதே துணை.

Transliteration

Araththirke Anpusaar Penpa Ariyaar
Maraththirkum Aqdhe Thunai

English Translation

“\"Love is virtue's friend\" say know-nots It helps us against evil plots”

Plain-English meaning

The ignorant say that love is an ally to virtue only, but it is also a help to get out of vice

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

\"Love is virtue's friend\" say know-nots It helps us against evil plots

G.U. Pope Translation

The unwise deem love virtue only can sustain,It also helps the man who evil would restrain

Plain-English Meaning

The ignorant say that love is an ally to virtue only, but it is also a help to get out of vice

அறத்திற்கு மட்டுமே அன்பு துணையாகும் என்று கூறுவோர் அறியாதவரே; மறத்திற்கும் கூட அதுவே காரணம் ஆகும்.

Chapter 8

அன்புடைமை

What bolt can bar true love in fact The tricking tears reveal the heart

To selves belong the loveless ones; To oth'rs the loving e'en to bones

Soul is encased in frame of bone To taste the life of love alone

Love yields aspiration and thence Friendship springs up in excellence

The crowning joy of home life flows From peaceful psychic love always

\"Love is virtue's friend\" say know-nots It helps us against evil plots

Justice burns the loveless form Like solar blaze the boneless worm

Life bereft of love is gloom Can sapless tree in desert bloom?

Love is the heart which limbs must move, Or vain the outer parts will prove

The seat of life is love alone; Or beings are but skin and bone!