Thirukkural 973 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
மேலிருந்தும் மேலல்லார் மேலல்லர் கீழிருந்தும்
கீழல்லார் கீழல் லவர்.
Transliteration
Melirundhum Melallaar Melallar Keezhirundhum
Keezhallaar Keezhal Lavar
Modern English
“A high title cannot make a cruel person noble, and a modest position cannot make a good person inferior.”
Modern Interpretation
A high title cannot make a cruel person noble, and a modest position cannot make a good person inferior. For example, an honest cleaner may show more greatness than an executive who abuses power.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A high title cannot make a cruel person noble, and a modest position cannot make a good person inferior.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Ignoble high not high they are The noble low not low they fare
G.U. Pope Translation
The men of lofty line, whose souls are mean, are never greatThe men of lowly birth, when high of soul, are not of low estate
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Though (raised) above, the base cannot become great; though (brought) low, the great cannot become base
Tamil commentary
நல்ல பண்புகள் ( பெருமைகள்) இல்லாதவர் உயர்ந்த பதவியில் இருந்தாலும் பெருமைக்கு உரியவர் அல்லர்; சிறிய பதவியில் இருந்தாலும் உயர்வான பண்புகளை உடையவர் பெருமை குறைந்தவர் அல்லர்.
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