Thirukkural 978 in English

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

Tamil original

பணியுமாம் என்றும் பெருமை சிறுமை
அணியுமாம் தன்னை வியந்து.

Transliteration

Paniyumaam Endrum Perumai Sirumai
Aniyumaam Thannai Viyandhu

English Translation

“Greatness bends with modesty Meanness vaunts with vanity”

Plain-English meaning

The great will always humble himself; but the mean will exalt himself in self-admiration

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Greatness bends with modesty Meanness vaunts with vanity

G.U. Pope Translation

Greatness humbly bends, but littleness alwaysSpreads out its plumes, and loads itself with praise

Plain-English Meaning

The great will always humble himself; but the mean will exalt himself in self-admiration

பெருமை உடையவர் செருக்கு இல்லாமல் பணிவுடன் இருப்பர்; சிறுமை உடையவரோ செருக்குடன் தம்மைத் தாமே வியந்து பாராட்டுவர்.

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