Edited by: N.V.K. Ashraf

 

This Tirukkural translation in English is drawn from a comparative study of 25 different translations. Sixteen of these were either complete or partial translations and the remaining nine were translations that appeared in articles, monographs and books authored by different people on Tirukkural and Tiruvalluvar. The choicest translation that is close to the original - in spirit, content and style - has been chosen for presentation. Preference has been given for brevity, simplicity and clarity. Emphasize was also laid on translations that manage to reflect, as much as possible, every word found in the original.  Sometimes translations of two authors were combined to produce the best reflection of the original. The translator or translators of every couplet have been acknowledged with their initials (eg. PS, SS, SB, VS etc.) in a separate column. The initials have been expanded with the full names of these translators at the end of this page. When no translation was found particularly satisfactory, I chose to render them myself. These have been marked by initial NV. An astrix (*) at the end of a translation indicate that the rendering has been improved upon, either by adding/replacing words or deleting words found to be unnecessary. To know more on the process of this comparison and criteria of selection, click here: Comparing Tirukkural translations to unfold the best. 

Division II. Wealth

 

Notes:
393. Compare with couple 575 where Valluvar uses the same idea to emphasize compassion in eyes: “Compassion is an ornament of the eyes. Without it eyes are deemed sores” (SS)
397. SI's alternate translation: "The learned can feel at home everywhere. Why then shun learning all one's life?"

 

Notes:
411. It is Valluvar's style to use the same idea to emphasize an important point. Here he emphasizes the wealth of hearing, at other places on the wealth of grace and learning. i.e. 241. The wealth of wealth is the wealth of grace. Material wealth, even the mean possess. * - SB, PS. 400. The wealth that never declines is learning. All others are not riches - PS, DL.

Notes:
423. Compare with 355. "Wisdom is to ascertain reality in whatever way things are presented" - KK
424. KV's full explanatory translation. "Wisdom lies in making anything easy for others to understand, and easily understanding what others say, however intricate"  
426. Compare with 140. "Those are fools, however learned, who have not learnt to walk with the world" - PS
428. Compare with 201. "The sinful will not dread; the great will dread the wanton pride of sinful action" - MS

 

Notes:

433. Compare with 965. "Even a hill-like eminence can be brought low by deeds as small as a speck" * - PS
 

Notes:
447. Compare with 795 and 784. "Seek a friend who will make you cry, rail and rate when you go astray" – PS. "Friendship is not for merriment but for stern reproach when friends go astray" - NV

 

Notes:
461. Compare with 676. "Weigh well before you plunge: the inputs, impediments and gain" - PS
463. PS would say: "It is not wisdom to lose the capital for the sake of interest"
469. This couplet can be rendered with different meanings:
Even worthy schemes can fail when there is dearth in apportionment of tasks - NV
Even good works go wrong if they don't match the recipient's nature - SI
Even a good scheme goes awry when contributions don't come equally from all - PS, NV
Even reliable schemes can fail when responsibilities are not shared equally - NV

Notes:
479. A short and crisp way of putting it: "A spendthrift's life is a phantom that will fade" – PS.
480. Idea expressed here is very similar to the one in 477.

Notes:
488. SB has a daring interpretation. He takes the word "தலை" to mean "head" instead of the usual meaning "chief". His translation reads thus: "Bear with hostilities when you meet them. Fell down their head in fateful time" – SB
489. Compare with 975. If the great achieve anything, it will be deeds rare in achievement. * PS