Thirukkural 987 in English

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

Tamil original

இன்னாசெய் தார்க்கும் இனியவே செய்யாக்கால்
என்ன பயத்ததோ சால்பு.

Transliteration

Innaasey Thaarkkum Iniyave Seyyaakkaal
Enna Payaththadho Saalpu

English Translation

“Of perfection what is the gain If it returns not joy for pain?”

Plain-English meaning

Of what avail is perfect goodness if it cannot do pleasing things even to those who have pained (it) ?

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Of perfection what is the gain If it returns not joy for pain?

G.U. Pope Translation

What fruit doth your perfection yield you, say!Unless to men who work you ill good repay

Plain-English Meaning

Of what avail is perfect goodness if it cannot do pleasing things even to those who have pained (it) ?

தமக்குத் தீமை செய்தவர்க்கும் நன்மையே செய்யா விட்டால் சான்றான்மையினால் பயன்தான் என்ன?

Chapter 99

சான்றாண்மை

All goodness is duty to them Who are dutiful and sublime

Good in the great is character Than that there is nothing better

Love, truth, regard, modesty, grace These five are virtue's resting place

Not to kill is penance pure Not to slander virtue sure

Humility is valour's strength A force that averts foes at length

To bear repulse e'en from the mean Is the touch-stone of worthy men

Of perfection what is the gain If it returns not joy for pain?

No shame there is in poverty To one strong in good quality

Aeons may change but not the seer Who is a sea of virtue pure

The world will not more bear its weight If from high virtue fall the great