Thirukkural 1020 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நாண்அகத் தில்லார் இயக்கம் மரப்பாவை
நாணால் உயிர்மருட்டி அற்று.
Transliteration
Naanakath Thillaar Iyakkam Marappaavai
Naanaal Uyirmarutti Atru
Modern English
“Someone without modesty or conscience moves through life like a puppet pulled by strings.”
Modern Interpretation
Someone without modesty or conscience moves through life like a puppet pulled by strings. For example, a person who joins in bullying just to win online approval is being controlled by the crowd rather than guided by judgment.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Someone without modesty or conscience moves through life like a puppet pulled by strings.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Movements of the shameless in heart Are string-led puppet show in fact
G.U. Pope Translation
'Tis as with strings a wooden puppet apes life's functions, whenThose void of shame within hold intercourse with men
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The actions of those who are without modesty at heart are like those of puppet moved by a string
Tamil commentary
மனத்துள் வெட்கம் இல்லாதவர்களின் நடமாட்டம், மரத்தால் செய்த பொம்மைக்கு உயிர் ஊட்டியிருப்பதாகக் காட்டி மயக்கியது போலாம்.
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