Thirukkural 504 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
குணம்நாடிக் குற்றமும் நாடி அவற்றுள்
மிகைநாடி மிக்க கொளல்.
Transliteration
Kunamnaatik Kutramum Naati Avatrul
Mikainaati Mikka Kolal
Modern English
“Judge a person by both their strengths and their faults, then see which side is stronger.”
Modern Interpretation
Judge a person by both their strengths and their faults, then see which side is stronger. For example, when choosing a project partner, look beyond charm and notice whether their reliable habits outweigh their careless ones.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Judge a person by both their strengths and their faults, then see which side is stronger.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Good and evil in man weigh well Judge him by virtues which prevail
G.U. Pope Translation
Weigh well the good of each, his failings closely scan,As these or those prevail, so estimate the man
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Let (a king) consider (a man's) good qualities, as well as his faults, and then judge (of his character) by that which prevails
Tamil commentary
ஒருவனின் குணங்களை ஆராய்ந்து அவனிடம் இருக்கும் குற்றங்களையும் ஆராய்ந்து இரண்டிலும் எவை அதிகமாக இருக்கின்றன என்பதையும் ஆராய்ந்து குணங்களின் மிகுதியைக் கொண்டே அவனைப் பதவிக்குத் தெரிவு செய்யவேண்டும்.
Chapter 51
More from Selection and Confidence
தெரிந்து தெளிதல்
Pleasure, gold, fear of life Virtue- Test by these four and trust the true
Kural 502Spotless name of noble birth Shamed of stain-that choice is worth
Kural 503Though deep scholars of stainless sense Rare is freedom from ignorance
Kural 504Good and evil in man weigh well Judge him by virtues which prevail
Kural 505By the touchstone of deeds is seen If any one is great or mean
Kural 506Choose not those men without kinsmen Without affine or shame of sin
Kural 507On favour leaning fools you choose; Folly in all its forms ensues
Kural 508To trust an untried stranger brings Endless troubles on all our kins
Kural 509Trust not without testing and then Find proper work for trusted men
Kural 510Trust without test; The trusted doubt; Both entail troubles in and out