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
Modern English
“Keeping the body alive is not a real remedy if doing so requires surrendering every principle and one's dignity.”
Modern Interpretation
Keeping the body alive is not a real remedy if doing so requires surrendering every principle and one's dignity. For example, an employee should seek help or another job rather than sign a serious lie that permanently stains their integrity.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Keeping the body alive is not a real remedy if doing so requires surrendering every principle and one's dignity.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
For the high-born to keep their body in life when their honour is gone will certainly not prove a remedy against death
Tamil commentary
குடும்பப் பெருமைக்கான மானம் அழிய நேர்ந்தபோது இறந்து போகாமல் இந்த உடம்பைக் காத்துவாழும் வாழ்க்கை சாவாமைக்கு மருந்து ஆகுமோ?
Chapter 97
More from Honour
மானம்
Though needed for your life in main, From mean degrading acts refrain
Kural 962Who seek honour and manly fame Don't do mean deeds even for name
Kural 963Be humble in prosperity In decline uphold dignity
Kural 964Like hair fallen from head are those Who fall down from their high status
Kural 965Even hill-like men will sink to nought With abrus-grain-like small default
Kural 966Why fawn on men that scorn you here It yields no fame, heaven's bliss neither
Kural 967Better it is to die forlorn Than live as slaves of those who scorn
Kural 968Is nursing body nectar sweet Even when one's honour is lost?
Kural 969Honour lost, the noble expire Like a yak that loses its hair
Kural 970Their light the world adores and hails Who will not live when honour fails