Thirukkural 113 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நன்றே தரினும் நடுவிகந்தாம் ஆக்கத்தை
அன்றே யொழிய விடல்.
Transliteration
Nandre Tharinum Natuvikandhaam Aakkaththai
Andre Yozhiya Vital
Modern English
“If a gain comes your way only because you bent the rules, drop it immediately, even if it looks tempting or harmless.”
Modern Interpretation
If a gain comes your way only because you bent the rules, drop it immediately, even if it looks tempting or harmless. Fairness matters more than any advantage it costs you to keep it. For example, walking away from a group project grade that was inflated by someone else's dishonest shortcut is worth more than the higher mark.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
If a gain comes your way only because you bent the rules, drop it immediately, even if it looks tempting or harmless.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Though profitable, turn away From unjust gains without delay
G.U. Pope Translation
Though only good it seem to give, yet gainBy wrong acquired, not e'en one day retain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Forsake in the very moment (of acquisition) that gain which, though it should bring advantage, is without equity
Tamil commentary
நன்மையே தருவதாக இருந்தாலும் நீதியை விட்டு விலகுவதால் வரும் லாபத்தை, அப்பொழுதே விட்டு விடுக.
Chapter 12
More from Impartiality
நடுவு நிலைமை
Equity is supreme virtue It is to give each man his due
Kural 112Wealth of the man of equity Grows and lasts to posterity
Kural 113Though profitable, turn away From unjust gains without delay
Kural 114The worthy and the unworthy Are seen in their posterity
Kural 115Loss and gain by cause arise; Equal mind adorns the wise
Kural 116Of perdition let him be sure Who leaves justice to sinful lure
Kural 117The just reduced to poverty Is not held down by equity
Kural 118Like balance holding equal scales A well poised mind is jewel of the wise
Kural 119Justice is upright, unbending And free from crooked word-twisting
Kural 120A trader's trade prospers fairly When his dealings are neighbourly