Thirukkural 182 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அறனழீஇ அல்லவை செய்தலின் தீதே
புறனழீஇப் பொய்த்து நகை.
Transliteration
Aranazheei Allavai Seydhalin Theedhe
Puranazheeip Poiththu Nakai
Modern English
“Smiling warmly at someone's face while tearing them apart the moment they leave the room is worse than almost any other kind of wrongdoing, because it's a betrayal wrapped in fake kindness.”
Modern Interpretation
Smiling warmly at someone's face while tearing them apart the moment they leave the room is worse than almost any other kind of wrongdoing, because it's a betrayal wrapped in fake kindness. For example, complimenting a friend's outfit to their face and then mocking it the second they walk away does more damage to trust than an honest disagreement ever would.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Smiling warmly at someone's face while tearing them apart the moment they leave the room is worse than almost any other kind of wrongdoing, because it's a betrayal wrapped in fake kindness.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Who bite behind, and before smile Are worse than open traitors vile
G.U. Pope Translation
Than he who virtue scorns, and evil deeds performs, more vile,Is he that slanders friend, then meets him with false smile
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
To smile deceitfully (in another's presence) after having reviled him to his destruction (behind his back) is a greater evil than the commission of (every other) sin and the destruction of (every) virtue
Tamil commentary
அறம் என்பதே இல்லை என அடித்துப் பேசிப் பாவத்தைச் செய்வதைக் காட்டிலும் ஒருவனைக் காணாதபோது புறம்பேசிக் காணும்போது பொய்யாகச் சிரிப்பது பெருங்கேடு.
Chapter 19
More from Not Backbiting
புறங்கூறாமை
Though a man from virtue strays, To keep from slander brings him praise
Kural 182Who bite behind, and before smile Are worse than open traitors vile
Kural 183Virtue thinks it better to die, Than live to backbite and to lie
Kural 184Though harsh you speak in one's presence Abuse is worse in his absence
Kural 185Who turns to slander makes it plain His praise of virtue is in vain
Kural 186His failings will be found and shown, Who makes another's failings known
Kural 187By pleasing words who make not friends Sever their hearts by hostile trends
Kural 188What will they not to strangers do Who bring their friends' defects to view?
Kural 189The world in mercy bears his load Who rants behind words untoward
Kural 190No harm would fall to any man If each his own defect could scan