Thirukkural 959 in English

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

Tamil original

நிலத்தில் கிடந்தமை கால்காட்டும் காட்டும்
குலத்தில் பிறந்தார்வாய்ச் சொல்.

Transliteration

Nilaththil Kitandhamai Kaalkaattum Kaattum
Kulaththil Pirandhaarvaaich Chol

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

As the sprout indicates the nature of the soil, (so) the speech of the noble indicates (that of one's birth)

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Of soil the plants that spring thereout will show the worth:The words they speak declare the men of noble birth

Plain-English Meaning

As the sprout indicates the nature of the soil, (so) the speech of the noble indicates (that of one's birth)

நிலத்தின் இயல்பை அதில் விளைந்த பயிர்காட்டும்; அதுபோலக் குடும்பத்தின் இயல்பை அதில் பிறந்தவர் பேசும் சொல் காட்டும்.

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