Thirukkural 976 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
சிறியார் உணர்ச்சியுள் இல்லை பெரியாரைப்
பேணிக் கொள் வேம் என்னும் நோக்கு.
Transliteration
Siriyaar Unarchchiyul Illai Periyaaraip
Penikkol Vemennum Nokku
Modern English
“Small-minded people do not value the chance to learn from admirable and capable people.”
Modern Interpretation
Small-minded people do not value the chance to learn from admirable and capable people. For example, a student who rejects every helpful mentor misses the growth that comes from good guidance.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Small-minded people do not value the chance to learn from admirable and capable people.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The petty-natured ones have not The mind to seek and befriend the great
G.U. Pope Translation
'As votaries of the truly great we will ourselves enroll,'Is thought that enters not the mind of men of little soul
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
It is never in the nature of the base to seek the society of the great and partake of their nature
Tamil commentary
பெருமைக்கு உரியவர்களைப் பின்பற்றி அவர் மரபைக் காப்போம் என்னும் நல்லெண்ணம் சிறியவர் மனத்துள் இராது.
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