Kural 972Chapter 98: Greatness

Thirukkural 972 in English

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

Tamil original

பிறப்பொக்கும் எல்லா உயிர்க்கும் சிறப்பொவ்வா
செய்தொழில் வேற்றுமை யான்.

Transliteration

Pirappokkum Ellaa Uyirkkum Sirappovvaa
Seydhozhil Vetrumai Yaan

Modern English

“Everyone is equal by birth; differences in achievement come from the quality of what people do.”

Modern Interpretation

Everyone is equal by birth; differences in achievement come from the quality of what people do. For example, a person's background does not decide their worth—skill, effort, and helpful actions do.

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Modern Plain English

Everyone is equal by birth; differences in achievement come from the quality of what people do.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

All beings are the same in birth But work decides their varied worth

G.U. Pope Translation

All men that live are one in circumstances of birth;Diversities of works give each his special worth

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

All human beings agree as regards their birth but differ as regards their characteristics, because of the different qualities of their actions

Tamil commentary

எல்லா மக்களும் பிறப்பால் சமம‌ே; அவரவர் செய்யும் செயல் வேறுபாடுகளால் மட்டுமே பெருமை வரும்.

Chapter 98

More from Greatness

பெருமை

Read all 10 Kurals →

Kural 971

A heart of courage lives in light Devoid of that one's life is night

Kural 972

All beings are the same in birth But work decides their varied worth

Kural 973

Ignoble high not high they are The noble low not low they fare

Kural 974

Greatness like woman's chastity Is guarded by self-varacity

Kural 975

Great souls when their will is active Do mighty deeds rare to achieve

Kural 976

The petty-natured ones have not The mind to seek and befriend the great

Kural 977

The base with power and opulence Wax with deeds of insolence

Kural 978

Greatness bends with modesty Meanness vaunts with vanity

Kural 979

Greatness is free from insolence Littleness swells with that offence

Kural 980

Weakness of others greatness screens Smallness defects alone proclaims