Thirukkural 181 in English

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

Tamil original

அறங்கூறான் அல்ல செயினும் ஒருவன்
புறங்கூறான் என்றல் இனிது.

Transliteration

Arangooraan Alla Seyinum Oruvan
Purangooraan Endral Inidhu

English Translation

“Though a man from virtue strays, To keep from slander brings him praise”

Plain-English meaning

Though one do not even speak of virtue and live in sin, it will be well if it be said of him "he does not backbite."

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Though a man from virtue strays, To keep from slander brings him praise

G.U. Pope Translation

Though virtuous words his lips speak not, and all his deeds are illIf neighbour he defame not, there's good within him still

Plain-English Meaning

Though one do not even speak of virtue and live in sin, it will be well if it be said of him "he does not backbite."

ஒருவன் அறத்தைச் சொல்லாமல் பாவமே செய்தாலும், அடுத்தவரைப் பற்றிப் புறம் பேசமாட்டான் என்றால் அதுவே அவனுக்கு நல்லது

Chapter 19

புறங்கூறாமை

Though a man from virtue strays, To keep from slander brings him praise

Who bite behind, and before smile Are worse than open traitors vile

Virtue thinks it better to die, Than live to backbite and to lie

Though harsh you speak in one's presence Abuse is worse in his absence

Who turns to slander makes it plain His praise of virtue is in vain

His failings will be found and shown, Who makes another's failings known

By pleasing words who make not friends Sever their hearts by hostile trends

What will they not to strangers do Who bring their friends' defects to view?

The world in mercy bears his load Who rants behind words untoward

No harm would fall to any man If each his own defect could scan