Thirukkural 183 in English

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

Tamil original

புறங்கூறிப் பொய்த்துயிர் வாழ்தலின் சாதல்
அறங்கூற்றும் ஆக்கத் தரும்.

Transliteration

Purangoorip Poiththuyir Vaazhdhalin Saadhal
Arangootrum Aakkath Tharum

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

Death rather than life will confer upon the deceitful backbiter the profit which (the treatises on) virtue point out

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

'Tis greater gain of virtuous good for man to die,Than live to slander absent friend, and falsely praise when nigh

Plain-English Meaning

Death rather than life will confer upon the deceitful backbiter the profit which (the treatises on) virtue point out

காணாதபோது ஒருவனைப் பற்றிப் புறம்பேசிக், காணும்போது பொய்யாக அவனுடன் பேசி வாழ்வதைக் காட்டிலும் இறந்து போவது அற நூல்கள் கூறும் உயர்வைத் தரும்.

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