Thirukkural 278 in English

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

Tamil original

மனத்தது மாசாக மாண்டார் நீராடி
மறைந்தொழுகு மாந்தர் பலர்.

Transliteration

Manaththadhu Maasaaka Maantaar Neeraati
Maraindhozhuku Maandhar Palar

English Translation

“Filthy in mind some bathe in streams Hiding sins in showy extremes”

Plain-English meaning

There are many men of masked conduct, who perform their ablutions, and (make a show) of

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Filthy in mind some bathe in streams Hiding sins in showy extremes

G.U. Pope Translation

Many wash in hollowed waters, living lives of hidden shame;Foul in heart, yet high upraised of men in virtuous fame

Plain-English Meaning

There are many men of masked conduct, who perform their ablutions, and (make a show) of

மனம் முழுக்க இருட்டு; வெளியே தூய நீரில் குளித்து வருபவர்போல் போலி வெளிச்சம் - இப்படி வாழும் மனிதர் பலர் இருக்கின்றனர்.

Chapter 28

கூடா ஒழுக்கம்

Elements five of feigned life Of a sly hypocrite within laugh

Of what avail are sky-high shows When guild the conscience gnaws and knows

Vaunting sainthood while week within Seems a grazer with tiger skin

Sinning in saintly show is like Fowlers in ambush birds to strike

Who false within but freedom feign Shall moan \"What have we done\" with pain

Vilest is he who seems a saint Cheating the world without restraint

Berry-red is his outward view, Black like its nose his inward hue

Filthy in mind some bathe in streams Hiding sins in showy extremes

Know men by acts and not by forms Strait arrow kills, bent lute but charms

No balding nor tangling the hair! Abstain from condemned acts with care