Thirukkural 80 in English

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

Tamil original

அன்பின் வழியது உயிர்நிலை அஃதிலார்க்கு
என்புதோல் போர்த்த உடம்பு.

Transliteration

Anpin Vazhiyadhu Uyirnilai Aqdhilaarkku
Enpudhol Porththa Utampu

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

That body alone which is inspired with love contains a living soul: if void of it, (the body) is bone overlaid with skin

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Bodies of loveless men are bony framework clad with skin;Then is the body seat of life, when love resides within

Plain-English Meaning

That body alone which is inspired with love contains a living soul: if void of it, (the body) is bone overlaid with skin

அன்பை அடிப்படையாகக் கொண்டதே உயிர் நிறைந்த இந்த உடம்பு, அன்பு மட்டும் இல்லை என்றால் இந்த உடம்பு வெறும் எலும்பின்மேல் தோலைப் போர்த்தியது போன்றது 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!