Thirukkural 955 in English

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

Tamil original

வழங்குவ துள்வீழ்ந்தக் கண்ணும் பழங்குடி
பண்பில் தலைப்பிரிதல் இன்று.

Transliteration

Vazhanguva Thulveezhndhak Kannum Pazhanguti
Panpil Thalaippiridhal Indru

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

Though their means fall off, those born in ancient families, will not lose their character (for liberality)

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Though stores for charity should fail within, the ancient raceWill never lose its old ancestral grace

Plain-English Meaning

Though their means fall off, those born in ancient families, will not lose their character (for liberality)

தொடர்ந்து வரும் நல்ல குடியில் பிறந்தவர் தம் பொருள் கொடுத்துக் குறைந்துவிட்டபோதும், கொடுக்கும் பண்பிலிருந்து விலகமாட்டார்.

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