Thirukkural – 336
“Yesterday, one was alive; today he is not”
such is the reputation of this world.
‘நெருநல் உளன், ஒருவன்; இன்று இல்லை!’ என்னும்
பெருமை உடைத்து, இவ் உலகு.
This Kural verse talks about the impermanence of life. One who was alive yesterday is no more today. This world is well known for such fickleness.
நெருநல் – Yesterday
பெருமை – reputation
Old Tamil Poetry 
Hope you had a chance to watch Jeyamohan’s recent upanyAsam on kuRaL.
Among the many he mentioned, this was one.
His reading was that Valluvar’s tone here is earnest and not sardonic. It indeed takes on different hue when read so.
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