Thirukkural 118 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
சமன்செய்து சீர்தூக்குங் கோல்போல் அமைந்தொருபால்
கோடாமை சான்றோர்க் கணி.
Transliteration
Samanseydhu Seerdhookkung Kolpol Amaindhorupaal
Kotaamai Saandrork Kani
Modern English
“Like a balanced scale that doesn't tip to either side, refusing to favour one party over another, even under pressure, is what marks someone as genuinely trustworthy.”
Modern Interpretation
Like a balanced scale that doesn't tip to either side, refusing to favour one party over another, even under pressure, is what marks someone as genuinely trustworthy. For example, a teacher who grades a friend's child's essay by the same standard as everyone else's is showing real integrity.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Like a balanced scale that doesn't tip to either side, refusing to favour one party over another, even under pressure, is what marks someone as genuinely trustworthy.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Like balance holding equal scales A well poised mind is jewel of the wise
G.U. Pope Translation
To stand, like balance-rod that level hangs and rightly weighs,With calm unbiassed equity of soul, is sages' praise
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
To incline to neither side, but to rest impartial as the even-fixed scale is the ornament of the wise
Tamil commentary
முதலில் சமமாக நின்று பிறகு தன்மீது வைக்கப்பட்ட பாரத்தை நிறுத்துக் காட்டும் தராசு போல, நீதிக்குரிய இலக்கணங்களால் அமைந்து ஓரம் சார்ந்து விடாமல் இருப்பது சான்றோராகிய நீதிபதிகளுக்கு அழகாம்.
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