Thirukkural 1016 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

நாண்வேலி கொள்ளாது மன்னோ வியன்ஞாலம்
பேணலர் மேலா யவர்.

Transliteration

Naanveli Kollaadhu Manno Viyangnaalam
Penalar Melaa Yavar

English Translation

“The great refuse the wonder-world Without modesty's hedge and shield”

Plain-English meaning

The great make modesty their barrier (of defence) and not the wide world

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

The great refuse the wonder-world Without modesty's hedge and shield

G.U. Pope Translation

Unless the hedge of shame inviolate remain,For men of lofty soul the earth's vast realms no charms retain

Plain-English Meaning

The great make modesty their barrier (of defence) and not the wide world

பெரியவர்கள் தனக்குப் பாதுகாப்பாக நாணத்தைக் கொள்வாரே அல்லாமல், இந்தப் பெரிய உலகத்தைக் கொள்ள விரும்ப மாட்டார்கள்.

Chapter 102

நாணுடைமை

To shrink from evil deed is shame The rest is blush of fair-faced dame

Food, dress and such are one for all Modesty marks the higher soul

All lives have their lodge in flesh Perfection has its home in blush

Shame is the jewel of dignity Shameless swagger is vanity

In them resides the sense of shame Who blush for their and other's blame

The great refuse the wonder-world Without modesty's hedge and shield

For shame their life the shame-sensed give Loss of shame they won't outlive

Virtue is much ashamed of him Who shameless does what others shame

Lapse in manners injures the race Want of shame harms every good grace

Movements of the shameless in heart Are string-led puppet show in fact