Thirukkural 279 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கணைகொடிது யாழ்கோடு செவ்விதுஆங் கன்ன
வினைபடு பாலால் கொளல்.
Transliteration
Kanaikotidhu Yaazhkotu Sevvidhuaang Kanna
Vinaipatu Paalaal Kolal
English Translation
“Know men by acts and not by forms Strait arrow kills, bent lute but charms”
Plain-English meaning
As, in its use, the arrow is crooked, and the curved lute is straight, so by their deeds, (and not by their appearance) let (the uprightness or crookedness of) men be estimated
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Tamil pronunciation
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English Translation
Know men by acts and not by forms Strait arrow kills, bent lute but charms
G.U. Pope Translation
Cruel is the arrow straight, the crooked lute is sweet,Judge by their deeds the many forms of men you meet
Plain-English Meaning
As, in its use, the arrow is crooked, and the curved lute is straight, so by their deeds, (and not by their appearance) let (the uprightness or crookedness of) men be estimated
Tamil commentary
வடிவால் நேரானது என்றாலும் செயலால் அம்பு கொடியது. கழுத்தால் வளைந்தது ஆயினும் செயலால் யாழ் இனிது. அதனால் தோற்றத்தால் அன்றிச் செயலால் மனிதரை எடை போடுக.
Chapter 28
More from Imposture
கூடா ஒழுக்கம்
Elements five of feigned life Of a sly hypocrite within laugh
Kural 272Of what avail are sky-high shows When guild the conscience gnaws and knows
Kural 273Vaunting sainthood while week within Seems a grazer with tiger skin
Kural 274Sinning in saintly show is like Fowlers in ambush birds to strike
Kural 275Who false within but freedom feign Shall moan \"What have we done\" with pain
Kural 276Vilest is he who seems a saint Cheating the world without restraint
Kural 277Berry-red is his outward view, Black like its nose his inward hue
Kural 278Filthy in mind some bathe in streams Hiding sins in showy extremes
Kural 279Know men by acts and not by forms Strait arrow kills, bent lute but charms
Kural 280No balding nor tangling the hair! Abstain from condemned acts with care