Thirukkural 137 in English

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

Tamil original

ஒழுக்கத்தின் எய்துவர் மேன்மை இழுக்கத்தின்
எய்துவர் எய்தாப் பழி.

Transliteration

Ozhukkaththin Eydhuvar Menmai Izhukkaththin
Eydhuvar Eydhaap Pazhi

English Translation

“Conduct good ennobles man, Bad conduct entails disgrace mean”

Plain-English meaning

From propriety of conduct men obtain greatness; from impropriety comes insufferable disgrace

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Conduct good ennobles man, Bad conduct entails disgrace mean

G.U. Pope Translation

'Tis source of dignity when 'true decorum' is preserved;Who break 'decorum's' rules endure e'en censures undeserved

Plain-English Meaning

From propriety of conduct men obtain greatness; from impropriety comes insufferable disgrace

ஒழுக்கத்தினால் உயர்வை அடைவர்; ஒழுக்கம் இல்லாதவர் வேண்டாத பழியை அடைவர்.

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