Thirukkural 970 in English

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

Tamil original

இளிவரின் வாழாத மானம் உடையார்
ஒளிதொழுது ஏத்தும் உலகு.

Transliteration

Ilivarin Vaazhaadha Maanam Utaiyaar
Olidhozhudhu Eththum Ulaku

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

The world will (always) praise and adore the fame of the honourable who would rather die than suffer indignity

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Who, when dishonour comes, refuse to live, their honoured memoryWill live in worship and applause of all the world for aye

Plain-English Meaning

The world will (always) praise and adore the fame of the honourable who would rather die than suffer indignity

தனக்கு இகழ்ச்சி வரும்போது உயிர்வாழாத மானம் மிக்க மனிதரின் புகழ் வடிவைப் பெரியோர் தொழுது பாராட்டுவர்.

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