Thirukkural 131 in English

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

Tamil original

ஒழுக்கம் விழுப்பந் தரலான் ஒழுக்கம்
உயிரினும் ஓம்பப் படும்.

Transliteration

Ozhukkam Vizhuppan Tharalaan Ozhukkam
Uyirinum Ompap Patum

English Translation

“Decorum does one dignity More than life guard its purity”

Plain-English meaning

Propriety of conduct leads to eminence, it should therefore be preserved more carefully than life

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Decorum does one dignity More than life guard its purity

G.U. Pope Translation

'Decorum' gives especial excellence; with greater care'Decorum' should men guard than life, which all men share

Plain-English Meaning

Propriety of conduct leads to eminence, it should therefore be preserved more carefully than life

ஒழுக்கம், அதை உடையவர்க்குச் சிறப்பைத் தருவதால் உயிரைக் காட்டிலும் மேலானதாக அதைக் காக்க வேண்டும்.

Chapter 14

ஒழுக்கம் உடைமை

Decorum does one dignity More than life guard its purity

Virtues of conduct all excel; The soul aid should be guarded well

Good conduct shows good family Low manners mark anomaly

Readers recall forgotten lore, But conduct lost returns no more

The envious prosper but ill The ill-behaved sinks lower still

The firm from virtue falter not They know the ills of evil thought

Conduct good ennobles man, Bad conduct entails disgrace mean

Good conduct sows seeds of blessings Bad conduct endless evil brings

Foul words will never fall from lips Of righteous men even by slips

Though read much they are ignorant Whose life is not world-accordant