Thirukkural 133 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஒழுக்கம் உடைமை குடிமை இழுக்கம்
இழிந்த பிறப்பாய் விடும்.
Transliteration
Ozhukkam Utaimai Kutimai Izhukkam
Izhindha Pirappaai Vitum
Modern English
“What really defines someone's standing isn't their family background, wealth, or title, it's how they actually behave.”
Modern Interpretation
What really defines someone's standing isn't their family background, wealth, or title, it's how they actually behave. Good conduct earns real respect; bad conduct undoes it regardless of where someone comes from. For example, a student from a modest background who is consistently honest and considerate earns more genuine respect than a wealthy classmate who treats people poorly.
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Modern Plain English
What really defines someone's standing isn't their family background, wealth, or title, it's how they actually behave.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Good conduct shows good family Low manners mark anomaly
G.U. Pope Translation
'Decorum's' true nobility on earth;'Indecorum's' issue is ignoble birth
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Propriety of conduct is true greatness of birth, and impropriety will sink into a mean birth
Tamil commentary
தனி மனிதன் தான் வகிக்கும் பாத்திரத்திற்கு ஏற்ற ஒழுக்கம் உடையவனாக வாழ்வதே குடும்பப் பெருமை; அத்தகைய ஒழுக்கம் இல்லாது போனால் இழிந்த குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தது ஆகிவிடும்.
Chapter 14
More from The Possession of Decorum
ஒழுக்கம் உடைமை
Decorum does one dignity More than life guard its purity
Kural 132Virtues of conduct all excel; The soul aid should be guarded well
Kural 133Good conduct shows good family Low manners mark anomaly
Kural 134Readers recall forgotten lore, But conduct lost returns no more
Kural 135The envious prosper but ill The ill-behaved sinks lower still
Kural 136The firm from virtue falter not They know the ills of evil thought
Kural 137Conduct good ennobles man, Bad conduct entails disgrace mean
Kural 138Good conduct sows seeds of blessings Bad conduct endless evil brings
Kural 139Foul words will never fall from lips Of righteous men even by slips
Kural 140Though read much they are ignorant Whose life is not world-accordant