Thirukkural 968 in English

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

Tamil original

மருந்தோமற்று ஊன்ஓம்பும் வாழ்க்கை பெருந்தகைமை
பீடழிய வந்த இடத்து.

Transliteration

Marundhomatru Oonompum Vaazhkkai Perundhakaimai
Peetazhiya Vandha Itaththu

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

For the high-born to keep their body in life when their honour is gone will certainly not prove a remedy against death

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

When high estate has lost its pride of honour meet,Is life, that nurses this poor flesh, as nectar sweet

Plain-English Meaning

For the high-born to keep their body in life when their honour is gone will certainly not prove a remedy against death

குடும்பப் பெருமைக்கான மானம் அழிய நேர்ந்தபோது இறந்து போகாமல் இந்த உடம்பைக் காத்துவாழும் வாழ்க்கை சாவாமைக்கு மருந்து ஆகுமோ?

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