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

Chapter 54

UNFORGETFULLNESS

அதிகாரம் 54

பொச்சாவாமை

(மறவாமை)

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Original

இறந்த வெகுளியின் தீதே சிறந்த

உவகை மகிழ்ச்சியின் சோர்வு.

Pronunciation

Irandha veguLiyin theethae sirandha

Uvagai magizhchchiyn soarvu..

Translation

Worse than wrath in excess is

Forgetfulness in joy-excess.

Comment

Forgetfulness born out of excess joy is worse than one’s anger/wrath.

 

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Original

பொச்சாப்புக் கொல்லும் புகழை; அறிவினை

நிச்ச நிரப்புக்கொன் றாங்கு.

Pronunciation

Pochchaappuk kollum pugazai arivinai

Nichcha nirappukin raanghu.

Translation

Negligence kills renown just as

Ceaseless want wisdom destroys..

Comment

Just as daily poverty kills one’s knowledge, forgetfulness and negligence shatters one’s name and renown.

 

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Original

பொச்சாப்பார்க்கு இல்லை புகழ்மை;அதுஉலகத்து

எப்பால் நூலோர்க்கும் துணிவு.

Pronunciation

Pochchaappaarkku illai pugaznmai; adhu ulagaththu

Eppaal nooloarkkum thuNivu.

Translation

Forgetful nature fails of fame

All schools of thinkers say the same.

Comment

Those who suffer with forgetfulness never prosper and this fact has been acknowledges by the well learned and the wise.

 

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Original

அச்ச முடையார்க்கு அரண்இல்லை ஆங்குஇல்லை

பொச்சாப்பு உடையார்க்கு நன்று.

Pronunciation

Achcha mudaiyaarkku araNillai aanguillai

Pochchaappu udaiyaarkku nanru.

Translation

The fearful find no fortress here

The forgetful find good never.

Comment

Those who have fear in their heart though well within a fort is not secured. Similarly, a person of forgetfulness will not get anything good out of his wealth.

 

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Original

முன்னுறக் காவாது இழுக்கியான் தன்பிழை

பின்ஊறு இரங்கி விடும்.

Pronunciation

Munnurak kaavaadhu izukkiyaan thanpizhai

Pin ooru irangi vidum.

Translation

Failing foresight the guard less man

Shall rue his folly later on.

Comment

The one who does not foresee and anticipate the problems that may arise in future, will have to regret his folly later.

 

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Original

இழுக்காமை யார்மாட்டும் என்றும் வழுக்காமை

வாயின் அதுஒப்பது இல்.

Pronunciation

Izhukkaamai yaarmaattum enrum vazhukkaamai

Vaayin adhu oppadhu il.

Translation

Forget none; watch with wakeful care

Miss none; the gain is sans compare.

Comment

If unforgetfulness ever continues with any one at all times, no other good equal to that he can aspire for.

 

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Original

அரியஎன்று ஆகாது இல்லைபொச் சாவாக்

கருவியால் போற்றிச் செயின்.

Pronunciation

Ariyaenru aagaadhu illaipoch chaavaak

Karuviyaal poatrich cheyin.

Translation

With cautious care pursue a thing

Impossible there is nothing.

Comment

If one can clearly think without forgetfulness and act, there is nothing in the world that is impossible for him.

 

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Original

.புகழ்ந்தவை போற்றிச் செயல்வேண்டும் செய்யாது

இகழ்ந்தார்க்கு எழுமையும் இல்.

Pronunciation

Pugazhndhavai poatrich cheyalvaeNdum seyyaadhu

Igazhndhaarkku ezhumaiyum il.

Translation

Do what the wise commend as worth

If not, for seven births no mirth.

Comment

One must do the things that are commended by the wise and the great. If one does not do as a result of forgetfulness he can never enjoy any happiness for seven births..

 

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Original

இகழ்ச்சியின் கெட்டாரை உள்ளுக தாம்தம்

மகிழ்ச்சியின் மைந்துறும் போழ்து..

Pronunciation

Igazhchchiyin kettaarai uLLuga thaamtham

Magizchchiyin maindhurum poazhdhu.

Translation

When joy deludes, their fate recall

Whom negligence has made to fall.

Comment

If on his happiness, he becomes arrogant, he must think of those who perish as a result of arrogance born out of joy and forgetfulness earlier.

 

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Original

உள்ளிய எய்தல் எளிதுமன் மற்றும்தான்

உள்ளியது உள்ளப் பெறின்.

Pronunciation

ULLiIya eydhal eLidhuman matrumthaan

ULLiyadhu uLLap perin.

Translation

Easy it is a thing to get

When the mind on it is set.

Comment

It is very easy to achieve a thing one aspires for, if he keeps his mind on that firmly without forgetting the same.