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Kural 249

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teruḷātāṉ meypporuḷ kaṇṭāṟṟā ṟēri / ṉaruḷātāṉ ceyyu maṟam

🎬 குறள் கதை · Story
G.U. Pope1886

“When souls unwise true wisdom's mystic vision see, / The 'graceless' man may work true works of charity.”

V.V.S. Aiyar1916

“It is as easy for the hard of heart to do deeds of righteousness as for the confused in mind to realise the Truth.”

Modern readingAI draft

When examined closely, the supposed virtue performed by someone devoid of compassion is as hollow as an ignorant fool claiming to perceive ultimate truth.

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Parimelazhagar’s commentary

13th century · public domain

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

அருளாதான் செய்யும் அறம் தேரின்= உயிர்கள் மாட்டு அருள் செய்யாதவன் செய்யும் அறத்தை ஆராயின்; தெருளாதான் மெய்ப் பொருள் கண்டற்று= ஞானம் இல்லாதவன் ஒருகால் மெய்ப்பொருளை உணர்ந்தாற் போலும்.

Source: Tamil Wikisource

In plain EnglishAI draft · pending review

When examined closely, the supposed virtue performed by someone devoid of compassion is as hollow as an ignorant fool claiming to perceive ultimate truth.