Thirukkural 1019 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
குலஞ்சுடும் கொள்கை பிழைப்பின் நலஞ்சுடும்
நாணின்மை நின்றக் கடை.
Transliteration
Kulanjutum Kolkai Pizhaippin Nalanjutum
Naaninmai Nindrak Katai
Modern English
“Breaking one's principles can disgrace a family, but living without shame can destroy one's own character and well-being.”
Modern Interpretation
Breaking one's principles can disgrace a family, but living without shame can destroy one's own character and well-being. For example, repeated dishonest deals may damage both a family's name and the person's future.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Breaking one's principles can disgrace a family, but living without shame can destroy one's own character and well-being.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Lapse in manners injures the race Want of shame harms every good grace
G.U. Pope Translation
'Twill race consume if right observance fail;'Twill every good consume if shamelessness prevail
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Want of manners injures one's family; but want of modesty injures one's character
Tamil commentary
ஒருவன் ஒழுக்கம் கெட்டால் அவன் குடும்பப் பிறப்பு கெடும்; அவனே நாணம் இல்லாது நின்றால் அவன் நலம் எல்லாம் கெடும்.
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