Thirukkural 280 in English

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

Tamil original

மழித்தலும் நீட்டலும் வேண்டா உலகம்
பழித்தது ஒழித்து விடின்.

Transliteration

Mazhiththalum Neettalum Ventaa Ulakam
Pazhiththadhu Ozhiththu Vitin

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

There is no need of a shaven crown, nor of tangled hair, if a man abstain from those deeds which the wise have condemned

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

What's the worth of shaven head or tresses long,If you shun what all the world condemns as wrong

Plain-English Meaning

There is no need of a shaven crown, nor of tangled hair, if a man abstain from those deeds which the wise have condemned

உயர்ந்தோர் வெறுத்தவற்றை மனத்தால் ஒதுக்கிவிட்ட பின் தலைமுடியைச் சிரைத்தல், நீள வளர்த்தல் என்பன பற்றி எண்ண வேண்டா.

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