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

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

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

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

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

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

Chapter 12

நடுவு நிலைமை

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

Wealth of the man of equity Grows and lasts to posterity

Though profitable, turn away From unjust gains without delay

The worthy and the unworthy Are seen in their posterity

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

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

The just reduced to poverty Is not held down by equity

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

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

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