Thirukkural 977 in English

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

Tamil original

இறப்பே புரிந்த தொழிற்றாம் சிறப்புந்தான்
சீரல் லவர்கண் படின்.

Transliteration

Irappe Purindha Thozhitraam Sirappundhaan
Seeral Lavarkan Patin

English Translation

“The base with power and opulence Wax with deeds of insolence”

Plain-English meaning

Even nobility of birth, wealth and learning, if in (the possession of) the base, will (only) produce everincreasing pride

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

The base with power and opulence Wax with deeds of insolence

G.U. Pope Translation

Whene'er distinction lights on some unworthy head,Then deeds of haughty insolence are bred

Plain-English Meaning

Even nobility of birth, wealth and learning, if in (the possession of) the base, will (only) produce everincreasing pride

பணம், படிப்பு, பதவி ஆகிய சிறப்புகள் சிறுமைக்குணம் உடையவரிடம் சேர்ந்தால், அவர்களின் செயல்கள் அகங்காரத்தோடு வருவனவாம்.

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