The Kural
All chapters › Wealth (பொருட்பால்) › Chapter 98
பெருமை
Kurals 971–980 of the Thirukkural, in the book of Wealth (பொருட்பால்).
ஒளிஒருவற்கு உள்ள வெறுக்கை இளிஒருவற்கு
அஃதிறந்து வாழ்தும் எனல்.
The light of life is mental energy; disgrace is his
Who says, 'I'll lead a happy life devoid of this.'
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Your light is your courage and drive; your darkness is wanting to live without them.
Open in the appபிறப்பொக்கும் எல்லா உயிர்க்கும் சிறப்பொவ்வா
செய்தொழில் வேற்றுமை யான்.
All men that live are one in circumstances of birth;
Diversities of works give each his special worth.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Everyone is born the same; it's what they do that makes them different.
Open in the appமேலிருந்தும் மேலல்லார் மேலல்லர் கீழிருந்தும்
கீழல்லார் கீழல் லவர்.
The men of lofty line, whose souls are mean, are never great
The men of lowly birth, when high of soul, are not of low estate.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Put small-minded people high up and they're still small; bring great people low and they're still great.
Open in the appஒருமை மகளிரே போலப் பெருமையும்
தன்னைத்தான் கொண்டொழுகின் உண்டு.
Like single-hearted women, greatness too,
Exists while to itself is true.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Greatness, like faithfulness, belongs only to those who guard it.
Open in the appபெருமை யுடையவர் ஆற்றுவார் ஆற்றின்
அருமை உடைய செயல்.
The man endowed with greatness true,
Rare deeds in perfect wise will do.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Even when they're down, great people manage to do what others find impossible.
Open in the appசிறியார் உணர்ச்சியுள் இல்லை பெரியாரைப்
பேணிக் கொள் வேம் என்னும் நோக்கு.
'As votaries of the truly great we will ourselves enroll,'
Is thought that enters not the mind of men of little soul.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Small-minded people never think of learning from the great and becoming like them.
Open in the appஇறப்பே புரிந்த தொழிற்றாம் சிறப்புந்தான்
சீரல் லவர்கண் படின்.
Whene'er distinction lights on some unworthy head,
Then deeds of haughty insolence are bred.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Status, money and learning in small-minded people only make them more arrogant.
Open in the appபணியுமாம் என்றும் பெருமை சிறுமை
அணியுமாம் தன்னை வியந்து.
Greatness humbly bends, but littleness always
Spreads out its plumes, and loads itself with praise.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: The great are always humble; the small are always full of themselves.
Open in the appபெருமை பெருமிதம் இன்மை சிறுமை
பெருமிதம் ஊர்ந்து விடல்.
Greatness is absence of conceit; meanness, we deem,
Riding on car of vanity supreme.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: True greatness has no ego; small-mindedness clings to it.
Open in the appஅற்றம் மறைக்கும் பெருமை சிறுமைதான்
குற்றமே கூறி விடும்.
Greatness will hide a neighbour's shame;
Meanness his faults to all the world proclaim.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: The great cover other people's faults; the small spread them.
Open in the app