Thirukkural 119 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
சொற்கோட்டம் இல்லது செப்பம் ஒருதலையா
உட்கோட்டம் இன்மை பெறின்.
Transliteration
Sorkottam Illadhu Seppam Orudhalaiyaa
Utkottam Inmai Perin
Modern English
“Speaking without bias is only possible once your mind itself is free of bias.”
Modern Interpretation
Speaking without bias is only possible once your mind itself is free of bias. You can't fake fairness in your words if your thinking is already tilted toward one side. For example, before mediating a fight between two friends, it helps to first check whether you're secretly taking sides in your own head.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Speaking without bias is only possible once your mind itself is free of bias.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Justice is upright, unbending And free from crooked word-twisting
G.U. Pope Translation
Inflexibility in word is righteousness,If men inflexibility of soul possess
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Freedom from obliquity of speech is rectitude, if there be (corresponding) freedom from bias of mind
Tamil commentary
மனம் ஓரஞ் சாராமல் சமமாக நிற்குமானால் சொல்லிலும் அநீதி பிறக்காது; அதுவே நீதி.
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