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

Modern English

“A shaved head, long hair, or any other outward sign is unnecessary if a person truly leaves behind the conduct that wise people reject.”

Modern Interpretation

A shaved head, long hair, or any other outward sign is unnecessary if a person truly leaves behind the conduct that wise people reject. Real renunciation is shown in behavior, not costume. For example, someone who gives up cruelty and dishonesty needs no special appearance to prove their change.

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Modern Plain English

A shaved head, long hair, or any other outward sign is unnecessary if a person truly leaves behind the conduct that wise people reject.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

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

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

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

Tamil commentary

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

Chapter 28

More from Imposture

கூடா ஒழுக்கம்

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Kural 271

Elements five of feigned life Of a sly hypocrite within laugh

Kural 272

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

Kural 273

Vaunting sainthood while week within Seems a grazer with tiger skin

Kural 274

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

Kural 275

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

Kural 276

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

Kural 277

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

Kural 278

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

Kural 279

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

Kural 280

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