Thirukkural 502 in English

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

Tamil original

குடிப்பிறந்து குற்றத்தின் நீங்கி வடுப்பரியும்
நாணுடையான் சுட்டே தெளிவு.

Transliteration

Kutippirandhu Kutraththin Neengi Vatuppariyum
Naanutaiyaan Sutte Thelivu

English Translation

“Spotless name of noble birth Shamed of stain-that choice is worth”

Plain-English meaning

(The king's) choice should (fall) on him, who is of good family, who is free from faults, and who has the modesty which fears the wounds (of sin)

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Spotless name of noble birth Shamed of stain-that choice is worth

G.U. Pope Translation

Of noble race, of faultless worth, of generous prideThat shrinks from shame or stain; in him may king confide

Plain-English Meaning

(The king's) choice should (fall) on him, who is of good family, who is free from faults, and who has the modesty which fears the wounds (of sin)

நல்ல குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்து குற்றம் ஏதும் இல்லாதவனாய்ப் பழிக்கு அஞ்சி, வெட்கப்படுபவனையே பதவிக்குத் தெரிவு செய்யவேண்டும்.

Chapter 51

தெரிந்து தெளிதல்

Pleasure, gold, fear of life Virtue- Test by these four and trust the true

Spotless name of noble birth Shamed of stain-that choice is worth

Though deep scholars of stainless sense Rare is freedom from ignorance

Good and evil in man weigh well Judge him by virtues which prevail

By the touchstone of deeds is seen If any one is great or mean

Choose not those men without kinsmen Without affine or shame of sin

On favour leaning fools you choose; Folly in all its forms ensues

To trust an untried stranger brings Endless troubles on all our kins

Trust not without testing and then Find proper work for trusted men

Trust without test; The trusted doubt; Both entail troubles in and out