Thirukkural 981 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கடன்என்ப நல்லவை எல்லாம் கடன்அறிந்து
சான்றாண்மை மேற்கொள் பவர்க்கு.
Transliteration
Katanenpa Nallavai Ellaam Katanarindhu
Saandraanmai Merkol Pavarkku
Modern English
“People who understand their duties and practice excellence come to see good actions as a natural responsibility.”
Modern Interpretation
People who understand their duties and practice excellence come to see good actions as a natural responsibility. For example, a dependable volunteer does not wait for praise before completing an important task.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People who understand their duties and practice excellence come to see good actions as a natural responsibility.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
All goodness is duty to them Who are dutiful and sublime
G.U. Pope Translation
All goodly things are duties to the men, they sayWho set themselves to walk in virtue's perfect way
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
It is said that those who are conscious of their duty and behave with a perfect goodness will regard as natural all that is good
Tamil commentary
நாம் செய்யத்தக்க கடமை இது என்று சான்றாண்மையை மேற்கொண்டு வாழ்பவர்க்கு, நல்ல குணங்கள் எல்லாம் இயல்பாக இருக்கும் என்று கூறுவர்.
Chapter 99
More from Perfectness
சான்றாண்மை
All goodness is duty to them Who are dutiful and sublime
Kural 982Good in the great is character Than that there is nothing better
Kural 983Love, truth, regard, modesty, grace These five are virtue's resting place
Kural 984Not to kill is penance pure Not to slander virtue sure
Kural 985Humility is valour's strength A force that averts foes at length
Kural 986To bear repulse e'en from the mean Is the touch-stone of worthy men
Kural 987Of perfection what is the gain If it returns not joy for pain?
Kural 988No shame there is in poverty To one strong in good quality
Kural 989Aeons may change but not the seer Who is a sea of virtue pure
Kural 990The world will not more bear its weight If from high virtue fall the great