Thirukkural 1075 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அச்சமே கீழ்களது ஆசாரம் எச்சம்
அவாவுண்டேல் உண்டாம் சிறிது.
Transliteration
Achchame Keezhkaladhu Aasaaram Echcham
Avaavuntel Untaam Siridhu
Modern English
“The low behave well mainly because they fear punishment; sometimes they behave better when they expect a reward.”
Modern Interpretation
The low behave well mainly because they fear punishment; sometimes they behave better when they expect a reward. An employee who follows safety rules only when a supervisor is watching has not developed true character.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
The low behave well mainly because they fear punishment; sometimes they behave better when they expect a reward.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Fear forms the conduct of the low Craving avails a bit below
G.U. Pope Translation
Fear is the base man's virtue; if that fail,Intense desire some little may avail
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
(The principle of) behaviour in the mean is chiefly fear; if not, hope of gain, to some extent
Tamil commentary
கயவர்களிடம் நல்ஒழுக்கம் இருந்தால் ஆட்சியைப் பற்றிய பயமே காரணம் ஆகும். அதையும் மீறி அவர்கள் ஆசைப்படும் பொருள் கிடைப்பதாக இருந்தால் அதனாலும் கொஞ்சம் ஒழுக்கம் இருக்கும்.
Chapter 108
More from Baseness
கயமை
The mean seem men only in form We have never seen such a sham
Kural 1072The base seem richer than the good For no care enters their heart or head
Kural 1073The base are like gods; for they too As prompted by their desire do
Kural 1074When the base meets a rake so vile Him he will exceed, exult and smile
Kural 1075Fear forms the conduct of the low Craving avails a bit below
Kural 1076The base are like the beaten drum Since other's secrets they proclaim
Kural 1077The base their damp hand will not shake But for fists clenched their jaws to break
Kural 1078The good by soft words profits yield The cane-like base when crushed and killed
Kural 1079Faults in others the mean will guess On seeing how they eat and dress
Kural 1080The base hasten to sell themselves From doom to flit and nothing else