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

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

It is never in the nature of the base to seek the society of the great and partake of their nature

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

It is never in the nature of the base to seek the society of the great and partake of their nature

பெருமைக்கு உரியவர்களைப் பின்பற்றி அவர் மரபைக் காப்போம் என்னும் நல்லெண்ணம் சிறியவர் மனத்துள் இராது.

Chapter 98

பெருமை

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

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

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

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

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

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

The base with power and opulence Wax with deeds of insolence

Greatness bends with modesty Meanness vaunts with vanity

Greatness is free from insolence Littleness swells with that offence

Weakness of others greatness screens Smallness defects alone proclaims