Thirukkural 184 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கண்ணின்று கண்ணறச் சொல்லினும் சொல்லற்க
முன்னின்று பின்நோக்காச் சொல்.
Transliteration
Kannindru Kannarach Chollinum Sollarka
Munnindru Pinnokkaach Chol
Modern English
“It's fine to tell someone something critical honestly, to their face, even if it's not gentle.”
Modern Interpretation
It's fine to tell someone something critical honestly, to their face, even if it's not gentle. But don't say things about them behind their back without thinking through the damage it could cause once it gets around. For example, telling a friend directly that their behaviour upset you is fair; complaining about them to everyone else while acting normal around them is not.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
It's fine to tell someone something critical honestly, to their face, even if it's not gentle.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Though harsh you speak in one's presence Abuse is worse in his absence
G.U. Pope Translation
In presence though unkindly words you speak, say notIn absence words whose ill result exceeds your thought
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Though you speak without kindness before another's face speak not in his absence words which regard not the evil subsequently resulting from it
Tamil commentary
ஒருவன் முகத்திற்கு எதிரே முகதாட்சணியம் இல்லாமல் பேசினாலும், அவன் எதிரில் இல்லாமல் இருக்கும்போது பின்விளைவை எண்ணாமல் அவனைப் பற்றிப் பேச வேண்டா.
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