Thirukkural 989 in English

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

Tamil original

ஊழி பெயரினும் தாம்பெயரார் சான்றாண்மைக்கு
ஆழி எனப்படு வார்.

Transliteration

Oozhi Peyarinum Thaampeyaraar Saandraanmaikku
Aazhi Enappatu Vaar

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

Those who are said to be the shore of the sea of perfection will never change, though ages may change

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Call them of perfect virtue's sea the shore,Who, though the fates should fail, fail not for evermore

Plain-English Meaning

Those who are said to be the shore of the sea of perfection will never change, though ages may change

சான்றாண்மை எனப்படும் கடலுக்குக் கரை எனப்படும் சான்றோர், காலம் மாறினாலும் தாம் மாறமாட்டார்.

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