Thirukkural 185 in English

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

Tamil original

அறஞ்சொல்லும் நெஞ்சத்தான் அன்மை புறஞ்சொல்லும்
புன்மையாற் காணப் படும்.

Transliteration

Aranjollum Nenjaththaan Anmai Puranjollum
Punmaiyaar Kaanap Patum

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

The emptiness of that man's mind who (merely) praises virtue will be seen from the meanness of reviling another behind his back

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

The slanderous meanness that an absent friend defames,'This man in words owns virtue, not in heart,' proclaims

Plain-English Meaning

The emptiness of that man's mind who (merely) praises virtue will be seen from the meanness of reviling another behind his back

அறத்தைப் பெரிதாகப் பேசும் ஒருவன் மனத்தால் அறவோன் அல்லன் என்பதை அவன் புறம்பேசும் இழிவினைக் கொண்டு கண்டுகொள்ளலாம்.

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