Thirukkural 971 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஒளிஒருவற்கு உள்ள வெறுக்கை இளிஒருவற்கு
அஃதிறந்து வாழ்தும் எனல்.
Transliteration
Olioruvarku Ulla Verukkai Ilioruvarku
Aqdhirandhu Vaazhdhum Enal
Modern English
“Courage and the wish to achieve something worthwhile give life its light; giving up all effort makes life feel empty.”
Modern Interpretation
Courage and the wish to achieve something worthwhile give life its light; giving up all effort makes life feel empty. For example, a young adult who keeps learning after repeated failures is living with this kind of inner drive.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Courage and the wish to achieve something worthwhile give life its light; giving up all effort makes life feel empty.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
A heart of courage lives in light Devoid of that one's life is night
G.U. Pope Translation
The light of life is mental energy; disgrace is hisWho says, 'I 'ill lead a happy life devoid of this.'
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
One's light is the abundance of one's courage; one's darkness is the desire to live destitute of such (a state of mind.)
Tamil commentary
ஒருவனுக்குப் பெருமை, பிறர் செய்ய முடியாத நல்ல செய்வேன் என்று எண்ணும் மன ஊக்கமே; அவ்வூக்கம் இல்லாமல் வாழ்வேன் என்று எண்ணுவது கேவலமே.
Chapter 98
More from Greatness
பெருமை
A heart of courage lives in light Devoid of that one's life is night
Kural 972All beings are the same in birth But work decides their varied worth
Kural 973Ignoble high not high they are The noble low not low they fare
Kural 974Greatness like woman's chastity Is guarded by self-varacity
Kural 975Great souls when their will is active Do mighty deeds rare to achieve
Kural 976The petty-natured ones have not The mind to seek and befriend the great
Kural 977The base with power and opulence Wax with deeds of insolence
Kural 978Greatness bends with modesty Meanness vaunts with vanity
Kural 979Greatness is free from insolence Littleness swells with that offence
Kural 980Weakness of others greatness screens Smallness defects alone proclaims