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
Modern English
“Greatness is shown by steady humility, while smallness appears when someone keeps praising themselves.”
Modern Interpretation
Greatness is shown by steady humility, while smallness appears when someone keeps praising themselves. For example, a team leader who credits the whole group is greater than one who claims every success alone.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Greatness is shown by steady humility, while smallness appears when someone keeps praising themselves.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The great will always humble himself; but the mean will exalt himself in self-admiration
Tamil commentary
பெருமை உடையவர் செருக்கு இல்லாமல் பணிவுடன் இருப்பர்; சிறுமை உடையவரோ செருக்குடன் தம்மைத் தாமே வியந்து பாராட்டுவர்.
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