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
Modern English
“People of true greatness use modesty and self-restraint as their protection, rather than relying on wealth or status.”
Modern Interpretation
People of true greatness use modesty and self-restraint as their protection, rather than relying on wealth or status. For example, a powerful employee who refuses a corrupt shortcut is safer in the long run because their principles guard them.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People of true greatness use modesty and self-restraint as their protection, rather than relying on wealth or status.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The great make modesty their barrier (of defence) and not the wide world
Tamil commentary
பெரியவர்கள் தனக்குப் பாதுகாப்பாக நாணத்தைக் கொள்வாரே அல்லாமல், இந்தப் பெரிய உலகத்தைக் கொள்ள விரும்ப மாட்டார்கள்.
Chapter 102
More from Shame
நாணுடைமை
To shrink from evil deed is shame The rest is blush of fair-faced dame
Kural 1012Food, dress and such are one for all Modesty marks the higher soul
Kural 1013All lives have their lodge in flesh Perfection has its home in blush
Kural 1014Shame is the jewel of dignity Shameless swagger is vanity
Kural 1015In them resides the sense of shame Who blush for their and other's blame
Kural 1016The great refuse the wonder-world Without modesty's hedge and shield
Kural 1017For shame their life the shame-sensed give Loss of shame they won't outlive
Kural 1018Virtue is much ashamed of him Who shameless does what others shame
Kural 1019Lapse in manners injures the race Want of shame harms every good grace
Kural 1020Movements of the shameless in heart Are string-led puppet show in fact