Thirukkural in English: Getting close to the original

	Tirukkural: Getting close to the original
	In Spirit, Content and Style
	The 'choicest' of all translations in English

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

061	Avoiding sloth	Translators	Notes
0601	The eternal flame of a family vanishes When eclipsed by that dark cloud called laziness.	SS
0602	Sloth is dismissed as sloth by those Who wish to retain their family repute.	NV
0603	A fool, who holds on to sloth, Will ruin his household before he gets ruined.	NV
0604	The society that broods in sloth without striving, Decays and steeps in crime. *	JN
0605	The pleasure-junks of destruction are four: Procrastination, forgetfulness, sloth and sleep.	PS
0606	Seldom do men possessed by sloth achieve anything great Even if they possess worldly wealth. *	SS
0607	The lazy ones, inept in noble exertion, Must endure scolding and scorn. *	SS
0608	If sloth inhabits a family, The family will soon be enslaved to its foes. *	VS	Yes
0609	Even inherent flaws in a family can be overcome By getting rid of indolence.	NV
0610	A king freed of sloth can get at once All that the Lord had measured by his feet. *	PS, KV	Yes

Notes:
608. Ahort crisp translations, but not close to original: "Sloth enslaves a house to its enemies" - PS
610. The word "அடி அளந்தான்" [who measured by his feet] refers to the belief that Lord Vishnu's measured the whole universe in three strides.

062	Manliness	Translators	Notes
0611	Do not give up saying "It is impossible". Effort will overcome.	PS	Yes
0612	Leave no task incomplete, For the world gives up those who give up. *	PS
0613	The pride of being a philanthropist belongs to those Who have that quality called perseverance. *	GV
0614	The liberality of the indolent man will not endure, Like a sword in eunuch's hand.*	VS
0615	A pillar of comfort to his friends is he Who scorns delight and loves labour. *	PS
0616	Exertion leads to wealth; Lack of it brings forth poverty. *	PS
0617	The black ogress 'misfortune' lurks in laziness, While goddess 'fortune' lingers in active men. *	SS
0618	Ill-luck is never blamed. What is blamed Is knowledge without exertion.	PS
0619	Even though God be against, Effort is bound to pay the wages of labour. *	VS	Yes
0620	Those who never get tired of striving undauntedly Shall leave even Fate behind.	SB, PS	Yes

Notes:

614. Valluvar has used this simile of “sword in eunuch’s hand” at least thrice in the Kural. In 726 he asks “What use is a sword to cowards and books to those who fear assembly?” * (PS, NV). And in 727, he says “As a sword to a eunuch before his foes, is the learning to one who fears assembly.” * (GU, VS)
617. JN provides an interesting translation, though not close to the original: "Where sloth resides total darkness prevails; where industry thrives, brightness radiates like lotus". The meaning of the couplet is best summed by KV: "Misfortune will befall the indolent, while the goddess of wealth will attend the hardworking".
619. The word "தெய்வம்" has also been translated sometimes as "fate" as in the case of "வகுத்தான்" in couplet 377. Relevant here is the translation of a similar passage from Naladiyar – a Jaina classic beyond doubt. "Though fortune forsake him and fate frown on him......" Translator S. Anavaratavinayakam Pillai here has chosen to render the word "தெய்வம்" as "fate".
620. Compare with 380 "What is there mightier than fate? For it overtakes us in spite of our plans to overcome it" * - SS, NV

063	Courage in trouble	Translators	Notes
0621	Laugh at misfortune. There is nothing so able, To triumph over it. *	PS
0622	Misfortune may rise like a flood, But the wise counter it by firm thoughts.*	PS, SB
0623	Those whom grief cannot grieve Can grieve grief itself. *	PS
0624	Trouble is troubled by him who like a bull Drags his cart through every hurdle.	PS
0625	The resolute can put their troubles to trouble Even if it comes relentlessly.	NV
0626	Will they whine "We have nothing", Who never crowed "We have much?"	PS	Yes
0627	Knowing body a target of miseries, The great are not troubled in calamities. *	SS, VS
0628	He will never be sad who scorns delight And takes sorrow in his stride.	PS
0629	He who never exulted in joy Will not be depressed by sorrow.	PS
0630	To take pain as pleasure Is to gain your foe's esteem.	PS

Notes:
626. Compare with couplets 628 and 629 in this same chapter. All convey the same idea.

064	Ministers	Translators	Notes
0631	Call him minister who best contrives the means, The time, the mode and the deed.	PS
0632	A minister excels in firmness, protection, Learning and perseverance, besides the five tactics. *	VR	Yes
0633	An able minister can disunite allies, Cherish friends and reunite enemies. *	VS
0634	Call him a minister who comprehends things, Executes them and directs others. *	SS
0635	A helpful counsellor knows the codes, Is learned in discourse and ever resourceful.	PS
0636	What is there too subtle to stand before men Who add learning to their intelligence? *	VS	Yes
0637	Even if well-versed in theory, Act as per the ways of the world. *	CR	Yes
0638	It is a minister's duty to advise aright Though the ruler in ignorance may refute wisdom.	PS, JN
0639	Better seventy million open foes Than one treacherous minister inside. *	PS
0640	The inefficient will leave undone Even well-planned schemes.	PS

Notes:
632. VR considers that the phrase "ஐந்துடன்" in this Kural has made this couplet a difficult one to translate. It is not clear if these five tactics are amongst those mentioned in other couplets in this chapter.
636. A short and crisp translations of these couplets [but not close to original]: "What can oppose a keen intelligence combined with learning?" - PS
637. Another abstract translation: "However well-versed in books, be practical" - PS

065	Persuasiveness	Translators	Notes
0641	Real asset is the gift of speech. That gift is a class apart from all other gifts.	NV
0642	Speech can both make and mar, And hence guard it from negligence. *	PS
0643	A speech should hold fast the convinced And be pleasing even to the unconvinced.	CR
0644	Speak to the capacity of the audience. Nothing more virtuous or valuable than this. *	SS, CR
0645	Utter not a word without making sure There is no other word to beat it.	SM	Yes
0646	To speak as desired and gain from what others say Is the hallmark of spotless men. *	PS, NV
0647	An eloquent, tireless and fearless speaker Can rarely be prevailed upon by any one.	NV
0648	The world will rush and listen to those Who can to speak orderly and pleasingly.	PS, NV	Yes
0649	Those fond of talking much Cannot be brief and faultless.	PS
0650	Those who can't express what they have learnt Are a bunch of flowers without scent. *	SB

Notes:
645. A short and crisp translation but not close to original: "One must speak only after considering possible counter arguments" - KV
648. An interesting alternate translation: "Swiftly will the world gather around men who can speak weighty themes in lighter vein" - GU, NV

066	Honest dealing	Translators	Notes
0651	Good alliance brings success; And good deeds all one needs. *	MS, PS
0652	Avoid always deeds that do not lead to Lasting good and fame. *	PS
0653	Those who seek greatness must avoid What will stain their name.	PS
0654	Men of clear understanding Will not do mean acts even in distress.	NV, PS
0655	Do not do what you will regret; and if you do, Better not repeat the same.	PS, NV
0656	Do not do what the wise condemn Even to save your starving mother.	PS
0657	Better the pinching poverty of the wise Than the pile of wealth hoarded by vice.	SB, PS
0658	Ends achieved without any regard to the means Will bring grief..	NV
0659	What's gained with other's tears will go in tears; What's won fair, though lost, will surge again. *	PS, SI
0660	Stocking ill-got wealth is like storing Water in an unbaked pot. *	PS, SI

067	Efficiency	Translators	Notes
0661	Efficiency consists in a resolute mind. Other things come thereafter.	CR
0662	To avoid failures and not to give up despite failures Are the two traits scholars emphasize.	NV
0663	Reveal thy means in the end. Premature disclosure Can cause irrevocable damage.	NV, KV
0664	It is easy for anyone to speak, But difficult to execute what has been spoken. *	SS
0665	Dynamic deeds of brave souls Will reach the king to win his praise.	SB, NV
0666	What is sought will be got as desired If only the seeker is determined.	NV	Yes
0667	Despise not by looks! Even linchpins hold in place The wheels of mighty chariots! *	PS, NV
0668	Acts resolved without ambiguity Should be unwaveringly carried out without delay.	NV	Yes
0669	However great the hardship, Pursue with firmness the act that yields bliss.	PS, DL
0670	The world has no place for those who, Despite other strengths, have no strength of firmness.	PS, NV

Notes:
666. Compare with couplets 540 and 309. "What is aimed is easy to achieve, if only the mind is set on what is aimed" – NV and "All wishes are realized at once if they keep away wrath from their mind" – NV.
667. Compare with 279. “The lute is bent, the arrow straight: judge men not by their looks but acts” – PS
668. Compare with 671. "The end of deliberation is decision. To decide and dawdle is bad" – PS

068	Mode of execution	Translators	Notes
0671	The end of deliberation is decision. To decide and dawdle is bad.	PS	Yes
0672	Delay where delay is needed, But do not delay when you must act.	PS
0673	Better strike wherever possible; Elsewhere, consider other feasible means. *	PS
0674	Both tasks and foes, if left unfinished, Will destroy like fire left un-extinguished. *	SS, SB
0675	Five things should be pondered before you act: Resources, weapons, time, place and deed.	PS
0676	Weigh well before you plunge: The inputs, impediments and gain.	PS	Yes
0677	Experts have the expertise. Get that expertise by knowing him inside out.	DZ, NV	Yes
0678	Let one target be achieved through one's action, Like an elephant through another. *	SDR
0679	More urgent than rewarding friends, Is to befriend enemies. *	KV
0680	If you are weak and fear internal trouble, Seize conciliation with the strong. *	PS

Notes:
671. Compare with 668. "Acts resolved without ambiguity should be unwaveringly carried out without delay" - NV
676. Compare with 461. Act after taking into account the cost, the benefit and the net. - PS
677. Different renderings, though not literal: [i] "The way to do a thing is to get inside an insider" - PS [ii] "In considering how to accomplish a task, one must go by the experience of others" - KV

069	Envoys	Translators	Notes
0681	Kindliness, high birth, and a nature pleasing to kings Are the qualities of an envoy. *	SS
0682	An envoy's three essentials Are loyalty, intelligence and sagacious speech.	PS
0683	An envoy should be a scholar among the learned To succeed among the powerful.	PS, NV
0684	Let him go on a mission who has these three: Wisdom, personality and scholarship. *	SS, PS
0685	An envoy's words should be compact, Unoffending, pleasant and useful.	PS
0686	An envoy should be well-read, fearless, persuasive, And know what fits the occasion. *	PS, MS
0687	The best know their mission, bide their time, Wait for the occasion and think before speaking.	NV
0688	A truthful messenger should have these three qualities: Goodness, friendliness and boldness.	NV
0689	A king's herald will not even negligently Utter words that leave a stain.	PS
0690	A brave envoy braves his life to safeguard The ruler's interests at any cost. *	JN

070	Moving with kings	Translators	Notes
0691	Courtiers round a king, like men before a fire, Should be neither too far nor too near.	PS
0692	The way to gain gifts from a king Is not to covet what he covets.	PS
0693	Beware and ward off faults. Suspicion once aroused is hard to clear. *	PS
0694	Whisper not, nor exchange smiles, Amidst illustrious august men. *	SB
0695	Don't eavesdrop or pursue a king's secret. Rather listen when secrets are revealed. *	PS, SS
0696	Know his mood, consider the moment, Avoid the unpleasant and speak the needful.	NV
0697	Tell the useful and even when asked Avoid always the useless.	PS
0698	Don't treat him lightly as young or kin But act as befits his splendour.	PS
0699	Those with unwavering vision Do not misuse their privileges and do wrong.	NV, JN
0700	Unworthy acts under the trust of old friendship Lead to ruinous woes.	JN	Yes

Notes:
700. In couplet 805 Valluvar says "When friends hurt, attribute it to either ignorance or privileges of friendship" * - SS

CR - C. Rajagopalachari	KS - Kasthuri Sreenivasan	SI - K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar
DL -W.H. Drew and J. Lazarus	KV - K. Krishnaswamy & Vijaya Ramkumar	SM -S. Maharajan
DZ - S.M. Diaz	MS - M.S. Poornalingam Pillai	SS - Satguru Subramuniyaswami
EL - F.W. Ellis	NC - Norman Cutler	TD - S. Thandapani Desikar
GU - G.U. Pope	NV - N.V.K. Ashraf	TK - T.K. Chidambaranatha Mudaliar
GV - G. Vanmikanathan	PS - P.S. Sundaram	VC - V.C. Kulandai Swamy
JN - J. Narayanaswamy	SB - Shuddhananda Bharatiar	VR - V. Ramasamy
KK - K. Kannan	SD - S.D. Rajendran	VS - V.V.S. Aiyar
KN - K.N. Subramanyam	SG - G. Siromoney, S. Govindaraju & M. Chandrasekaran,