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

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

Though you speak without kindness before another's face speak not in his absence words which regard not the evil subsequently resulting from it

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

Though you speak without kindness before another's face speak not in his absence words which regard not the evil subsequently resulting from it

ஒருவன் முகத்திற்கு எதிரே முகதாட்சணியம் இல்லாமல் பேசினாலும், அவன் எதிரில் இல்லாமல் இருக்கும்போது பின்விளைவை எண்ணாமல் அவனைப் பற்றிப் பேச வேண்டா.

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