Thirukkural 954 in English

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

Tamil original

அடுக்கிய கோடி பெறினும் குடிப்பிறந்தார்
குன்றுவ செய்தல் இலர்.

Transliteration

Atukkiya Koti Perinum Kutippirandhaar
Kundruva Seydhal Ilar

English Translation

“Even for crores, the noble mood Cannot bend to degrading deed”

Plain-English meaning

Though blessed with immense wealth, the noble will never do anything unbecoming

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Even for crores, the noble mood Cannot bend to degrading deed

G.U. Pope Translation

Millions on millions piled would never winThe men of noble race to soul-degrading sin

Plain-English Meaning

Though blessed with immense wealth, the noble will never do anything unbecoming

கோடி கோடியாகச் செல்வத்தைப் பெற்றாலும் நல்ல குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தவர் தம் குடும்பப் பெருமை குறைவதற்கான செயல்களைச் செய்யமாட்டார்.

Chapter 96

குடிமை

Right-sense and bashfulness adorn By nature only the noble-born

The noble-born lack not these three: Good conduct, truth and modesty

Smile, gift, sweet words and courtesy These four mark true nobility

Even for crores, the noble mood Cannot bend to degrading deed

The means of gift may dwindle; yet Ancient homes guard their noble trait

Who guard their family prestige pure Stoop not to acts of cunning lure

The faults of nobly-born are seen Like on the sky the spots of moon

If manners of the good are rude People deem their pedigree crude

Soil's nature is seen in sprout The worth of birth from words flow out

All gain good name by modesty Nobility by humility