Thirukkural 116 in English

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

Tamil original

கெடுவல்யான் என்பது அறிகதன் நெஞ்சம்
நடுவொரீஇ அல்ல செயின்.

Transliteration

Ketuvalyaan Enpadhu Arikadhan Nenjam
Natuvoreei Alla Seyin

Modern English

“The moment you notice yourself thinking about bending the rules unfairly, take it as a warning sign that you're about to damage your own future.”

Modern Interpretation

The moment you notice yourself thinking about bending the rules unfairly, take it as a warning sign that you're about to damage your own future. That flicker of temptation is worth paying attention to. For example, catching yourself about to lie on an expense report is the exact moment to stop and reconsider.

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Modern Plain English

The moment you notice yourself thinking about bending the rules unfairly, take it as a warning sign that you're about to damage your own future.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

Of perdition let him be sure Who leaves justice to sinful lure

G.U. Pope Translation

If, right deserting, heart to evil turn,Let man impending ruin's sign discern

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

Let him whose mind departing from equity commits sin well consider thus within himself, "I shall perish."

Tamil commentary

தன் நெஞ்சம் நீதியை விட்டுவிட்டு அநீதி செய்ய எண்ணி னால், அதுவே தான் கெடப் போவதற்கு உரிய அறிகுறி.

Chapter 12

More from Impartiality

நடுவு நிலைமை

Read all 10 Kurals →

Kural 111

Equity is supreme virtue It is to give each man his due

Kural 112

Wealth of the man of equity Grows and lasts to posterity

Kural 113

Though profitable, turn away From unjust gains without delay

Kural 114

The worthy and the unworthy Are seen in their posterity

Kural 115

Loss and gain by cause arise; Equal mind adorns the wise

Kural 116

Of perdition let him be sure Who leaves justice to sinful lure

Kural 117

The just reduced to poverty Is not held down by equity

Kural 118

Like balance holding equal scales A well poised mind is jewel of the wise

Kural 119

Justice is upright, unbending And free from crooked word-twisting

Kural 120

A trader's trade prospers fairly When his dealings are neighbourly