Following is the translation of Thirukkural, a discourse on ethics, its author is Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar who lived around 3rd Century. It’s translation is done by Mr. NV Subbaraman, he lives in Chennai.

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செல்வத்துள் செல்வம் செவிச்செல்வம்;அச்செல்வம்

செல்வத்துள் எல்லாம் தலை.

Pronunciation

SelvaththuL selvam sevichchelvam; accchelvam

SelvaththuL ellAm thalai.

Translation

Listening is wealth

Wealth of wealth – gives one great force

Nothing gives that strength!

Comment

Wealth of wealth is listening to others which give a lot of strength.

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செவிக்குணவு இல்லாத போழ்து சிறிது

வயிற்றுக்கும் ஈயப் படும்.

Pronunciation

SevikkuNavu illaadha poazthu ciridhu

Vayitrukkum eeyap padum.

Translation

When there is no food

For thought through listening- some

Stomach gets for good!

Comment

Only when there is no food for thought through listening, a little food can be given to the stomach for quenching the physical hunger.

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செவிஉணவிற் கேள்வி உடையார் அவிஉணவின்

ஆன்றாரோடு ஒப்பர் நிலத்து.

Pronunciation

SeviuNavir kaeLvi udaiyaar aviuNavin

Aandraaroadu oppar niloaththu.

Translation

Where wisdom gets fed

The wise deemed Gods who get food

As offerings made!

Comment

Those who have the knowledge and wisdom acquired through listening are deemed to be the Gods and nobles who are fed with the nectar.

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கற்றிலன் ஆயினும் கேட்க! அஃதொருவற்கு

ஒற்கத்தின் ஊற்றாம் துணை.

Pronunciation

Katrilan aayinum kaetka; ahudhoruvarkku

Orkaththin uutrraam thuNai.

Translation

Though not learnt, listen

To the voice of the noble

Helps as staff, in need!

Comment

Though one is not learned, let him listen to the voice of the noble that will stand in good stead like a staff on hand when he grows up.

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இழுக்கல் உடையுழி ஊற்றுக்கோல் அற்றே

ஒழுக்கம் உடையார் வாய்ச்சொல்.

Pronunciation

Izhukkal udaiyuzhi ootrukkoal atrae

Ozhukkam udaiyaar vaaychchol.

Translation

In slippery ground

The staff helps – so the noble’s words

When in troubles found!

Comment

Just as a staff on hand helps when one walks on a slippery ground, the knowledge that one acquires through listening when confronted with problems  and challenges in life.

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எனைத்தானும் நல்லவை கேட்க! அனைத்தானும்

ஆன்ற பெருமை தரும்.

Pronunciation

Enaiththaanum nallavai kaetka! Anaiththaanum

Aandra perumai tharum.

Translation

Though a little heard

Let it be good and noble

That makes one learned!

Comment

Whatever one listens let it be from the wise and the noble; that indeed will make him a learned person and gets him glory.

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பிழைத்துணர்ந்தும் பேதைமை சொல்லார்; இழைத்துணர்ந்து

ஈண்டிய கேள்வி யவர்.

Pronunciation

PizhaiththNarndhum paedhaimai sollaar; izhaiththuNarndhu

EeNdiya kaeLvi yavar.

Translation

Learnt by listening

Falters not with foolish words

Gain with hearing!

Comment

Those who have knowledge acquired through listening fail to understand the criticality of the issue, will not falter by speaking with foolish words.

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கேட்பினும் கேளாத் தகையவே! கேள்வியால்

தோட்கப் படாத செவி.

Pronunciation

Kaetpinum kaeLaath thagaiyavae! kaeLviyaal

Kaetkap padaadha sevi.

Translation

Noble’s voice not heard

He is deaf indeed and lost

The world deems him dead!

Comment

The ears that do not listen to the words of the noble are deemed to be deaf though they have ears and hearing faculty is good.

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நுணங்கிய கேள்வியர் அல்லார் வணங்கிய

வாயினர் ஆதல் அரிது.

Pronunciation

ThuNangkiya kaeLviyar allaar vaNanggiya

Vaayinar aadhal aridhu.

Translation

Sans words of the wise

Heard and followed, modesty

Eludes, cuts to size!

Comment

Those who are not equipped with the wealth of knowledge acquired through listening, they cannot speak with humility and modesty.

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செவியின் சுவையுணரா வாயுணர்வின் மாக்கள்

அவியினும்என் வாழினும்  என்?

Pronunciation

Seviyin suvaiyuNaraa vaayuNarvin maakkaL

Aviyinumen vaazinum en?

Translation

One who has no taste

For ears, but has for tongue

His life is a waste!

Comment

Those who do not find taste in the wise words of the noble, and find taste only in the food they take whether they are dead or alive it makes no difference.