Thirukkural 1017 in English

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

Tamil original

நாணால் உயிரைத் துறப்பர் உயிர்ப்பொருட்டால்
நாண்துறவார் நாணாள் பவர்.

Transliteration

Naanaal Uyiraith Thurappar Uyirpporuttaal
Naandhuravaar Naanaal Pavar

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

The modest would rather lose their life for the sake of modesty than lose modesty for the sake of life

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

The men of modest soul for shame would life an offering make,But ne'er abandon virtuous shame for life's dear sake

Plain-English Meaning

The modest would rather lose their life for the sake of modesty than lose modesty for the sake of life

நாணத்தின் சிறப்பை அறிந்து அதன் வழி நடப்பவர் நாணமா, உயிரா,என்ற நெருக்கடி வரும்போது உயிரையே விடுவர்; உயிரைக் காக்க நாணத்தை விடமாட்டார்‌.

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