Thirukkural 967 in English

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

Tamil original

ஒட்டார்பின் சென்றொருவன் வாழ்தலின் அந்நிலையே
கெட்டான் எனப்படுதல் நன்று.

Transliteration

Ottaarpin Sendroruvan Vaazhdhala�n Annilaiye
Kettaan Enappatudhal Nandru

English Translation

“Better it is to die forlorn Than live as slaves of those who scorn”

Plain-English meaning

It is better for a man to be said of him that he died in his usual state than that he eked out his life by following those who disgraced him

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Better it is to die forlorn Than live as slaves of those who scorn

G.U. Pope Translation

Better 'twere said, 'He's perished!' than to gainThe means to live, following in foeman's train

Plain-English Meaning

It is better for a man to be said of him that he died in his usual state than that he eked out his life by following those who disgraced him

இகழுபவர் பின்னே சென்று அவர் தரும் பொருளை, பதவியைப் பெற்று உயிர்வாழ்வதைக் காட்டிலும் அவன் இறந்துபோனான் என்று சொல்லப்படுவது அவனுக்கு நல்லதாம்.

Chapter 97

மானம்

Though needed for your life in main, From mean degrading acts refrain

Who seek honour and manly fame Don't do mean deeds even for name

Be humble in prosperity In decline uphold dignity

Like hair fallen from head are those Who fall down from their high status

Even hill-like men will sink to nought With abrus-grain-like small default

Why fawn on men that scorn you here It yields no fame, heaven's bliss neither

Better it is to die forlorn Than live as slaves of those who scorn

Is nursing body nectar sweet Even when one's honour is lost?

Honour lost, the noble expire Like a yak that loses its hair

Their light the world adores and hails Who will not live when honour fails