Thirukkural 139 in English

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

Tamil original

ஒழுக்க முடையவர்க்கு ஒல்லாவே தீய
வழுக்கியும் வாயாற் சொலல்.

Transliteration

Ozhukka Mutaiyavarkku Ollaave Theeya
Vazhukkiyum Vaayaar Solal

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

Those who study propriety of conduct will not speak evil, even forgetfully

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

It cannot be that they who 'strict decorum's' law fulfil,E'en in forgetful mood, should utter words of ill

Plain-English Meaning

Those who study propriety of conduct will not speak evil, even forgetfully

மறந்தும் தீய சொற்களைத் தம் வாயால் கூறுவது, ஒழுக்கம் உடையவர்க்கு முடியாது.

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