Thirukkural 136 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஒழுக்கத்தின் ஒல்கார் உரவோர் இழுக்கத்தின்
ஏதம் படுபாக் கறிந்து.
Transliteration
Ozhukkaththin Olkaar Uravor Izhukkaththin
Edham Patupaak Karindhu
Modern English
“People with real inner strength never let their standards slip, because they understand exactly how much misery follows a lapse in conduct.”
Modern Interpretation
People with real inner strength never let their standards slip, because they understand exactly how much misery follows a lapse in conduct. Their discipline comes from foresight, not fear. For example, an athlete who turns down a shortcut like doping understands that the short-term gain isn't worth the long-term fallout if it's discovered.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
People with real inner strength never let their standards slip, because they understand exactly how much misery follows a lapse in conduct.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The firm from virtue falter not They know the ills of evil thought
G.U. Pope Translation
The strong of soul no jot abate of 'strict decorum's' laws,Knowing that 'due decorum's' breach foulest disgrace will cause
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Those firm in mind will not slacken in their observance of the proprieties of life, knowing, as they do, the misery that flows from the transgression from them
Tamil commentary
ஒழுக்கம் இழந்தால் தனக்குக் குலத்தாழ்வு உண்டாகும் என அறியும் மன உறுதி உடைய பெரியோர், கடினமே என்றாலும் ஒழுக்கத்திலிருந்து விலகமாட்டார்.
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