Thirukkural 189 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அறன்நோக்கி ஆற்றுங்கொல் வையம் புறன்நோக்கிப்
புன்சொல் உரைப்பான் பொறை.
Transliteration
Arannokki Aatrungol Vaiyam Purannokkip
Punsol Uraippaan Porai
Modern English
“It's almost strange how much gossip people quietly tolerate, as if putting up with someone's constant backbiting were itself some kind of patience.”
Modern Interpretation
It's almost strange how much gossip people quietly tolerate, as if putting up with someone's constant backbiting were itself some kind of patience. But that tolerance has limits, and reputations eventually catch up with the people who abuse it. For example, a chronic gossiper might get away with it for a while, but people eventually start keeping their distance once the pattern becomes obvious.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
It's almost strange how much gossip people quietly tolerate, as if putting up with someone's constant backbiting were itself some kind of patience.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The world in mercy bears his load Who rants behind words untoward
G.U. Pope Translation
'Tis charity, I ween, that makes the earth sustain their loadWho, neighbours' absence watching, tales or slander tell abroad
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The world through charity supports the weight of those who reproach others observing their absence
Tamil commentary
பிறர் இல்லாதபோது அவரைப் பழிக்கும் இழிசொற்களைப் பேசுபவனின் உடல் பாரத்தை இவனையும் சுமப்பதே என் தருமம் என்றெண்ணி இப்பூமி சுமக்கிறது போலும்!
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