Thirukkural 93 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
முகத்தான் அமர்ந்து இனிதுநோக்கி அகத்தானாம்
இன்சொ லினதே அறம்.
Transliteration
Mukaththaan Amarndhuinidhu Nokki Akaththaanaam
Inso Linadhe Aram
Modern English
“True kindness appears in both our words and the way we look at people.”
Modern Interpretation
True kindness appears in both our words and the way we look at people. A cheerful, sincere manner shows that our concern is genuine rather than forced. For example, welcoming a nervous new student with a smile and encouraging words can help them feel that they belong.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
True kindness appears in both our words and the way we look at people.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Calm face, sweet look, kind words from heart Such is the gracious virtue's part
G.U. Pope Translation
With brightly beaming smile, and kindly light of loving eye,And heart sincere, to utter pleasant words is charity
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Sweet speech, flowing from the heart (uttered) with a cheerful countenance and a sweet look, is true virtue
Tamil commentary
பிறரைப் பார்க்கும்போது முகத்தால் விரும்பி, இனிமையாகப் பார்த்து, உள்ளத்துள் இருந்து வரும் இனிய சொற்களைச் சொல்வதே அறம் ஆகும்.
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