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Kural 238

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vacaiyeṉpa vaiyattārk kellā micaiyeṉṉu / meccam peṟāa viṭiṉ

🎬 குறள் கதை · Story
G.U. Pope1886

“Fame is virtue's child, they say; if, then, / You childless live, you live the scorn of men.”

V.V.S. Aiyar1916

“It is a disgrace for all men if they earn not the memory called fame.”

Modern readingAI draft

If a person fails to leave behind the surviving treasure of worthy renown, the wise deem that failure a reproach upon their very life.

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Parimelazhagar’s commentary

13th century · public domain

Parimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.

இசை என்னும் எச்சம் பெறா விடின்= புகழ் என்னும் எச்சம் பெறலாயிருக்க அது பெறாது ஒழிவராயின்; வையத்தார்க்கு எல்லாம் வசை என்ப= வையகத்தோர்க்கு எல்லாம் அதுதானே வசை என்று சொல்லுவர் நல்லோர்.

Source: Tamil Wikisource

In plain EnglishAI draft · pending review

If a person fails to leave behind the surviving treasure of worthy renown, the wise deem that failure a reproach upon their very life.