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
Modern English
“Someone who talks a lot about doing the right thing but still gossips cruelly about others behind their backs reveals, through that pettiness, that their talk about virtue was mostly just talk.”
Modern Interpretation
Someone who talks a lot about doing the right thing but still gossips cruelly about others behind their backs reveals, through that pettiness, that their talk about virtue was mostly just talk. Actions expose what words can hide. For example, a person who lectures others about kindness but constantly badmouths coworkers isn't as principled as they present themselves to be.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Someone who talks a lot about doing the right thing but still gossips cruelly about others behind their backs reveals, through that pettiness, that their talk about virtue was mostly just talk.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The emptiness of that man's mind who (merely) praises virtue will be seen from the meanness of reviling another behind his back
Tamil commentary
அறத்தைப் பெரிதாகப் பேசும் ஒருவன் மனத்தால் அறவோன் அல்லன் என்பதை அவன் புறம்பேசும் இழிவினைக் கொண்டு கண்டுகொள்ளலாம்.
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