Thirukkural 92 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அகன்அமர்ந்து ஈதலின் நன்றே முகனமர்ந்து
இன்சொலன் ஆகப் பெறின்.
Transliteration
Akanamarndhu Eedhalin Nandre Mukanamarndhu
Insolan Aakap Perin
Modern English
“A warm word and a welcoming expression can be more valuable than a material gift.”
Modern Interpretation
A warm word and a welcoming expression can be more valuable than a material gift. People need to feel respected, not merely compensated. For example, thanking a struggling colleague sincerely may encourage them more than handing them a reward without acknowledging their effort.
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Modern Plain English
A warm word and a welcoming expression can be more valuable than a material gift.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Sweet words from smiling lips dispense More joys than heart's beneficence
G.U. Pope Translation
A pleasant word with beaming smile's preferred,Even to gifts with liberal heart conferred
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Sweet speech, with a cheerful countenance is better than a gift made with a joyous mind
Tamil commentary
முகத்தால் விரும்பி, இனிய சொற்களைக் கூறுகிறவனாகவும் ஆகிவிட்டால், உள்ளம் மகிழ்ந்து பொருளைக் கொடுப்பதைக் காட்டிலும் அது நல்லது
Chapter 10
More from The Utterance of Pleasant Words
இனியவை கூறல்
The words of Seers are lovely sweet Merciful and free from deceit
Kural 92Sweet words from smiling lips dispense More joys than heart's beneficence
Kural 93Calm face, sweet look, kind words from heart Such is the gracious virtue's part
Kural 94Whose loving words delight each one The woe of want from them is gone
Kural 95To be humble and sweet words speak No other jewel do wise men seek
Kural 96His sins vanish, his virtues grow Whose fruitful words with sweetness flow
Kural 97The fruitful courteous kindly words Lead to goodness and graceful deeds
Kural 98Kind words free from meanness delight This life on earth and life the next
Kural 99Who sees the sweets of sweetness here To use harsh words how can he dare?
Kural 100Leaving ripe fruits the raw he eats Who speaks harsh words when sweet word suits