Thirukkural 56 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தற்காத்துத் தற்கொண்டாற் பேணித் தகைசான்ற
சொற்காத்துச் சோர்விலாள் பெண்.
Transliteration
Tharkaaththuth Tharkontaar Penith Thakaisaandra
Sorkaaththuch Chorvilaal Pen
Modern English
“A good partner protects their own integrity, supports the relationship, and acts in ways that preserve the family's trust and dignity.”
Modern Interpretation
A good partner protects their own integrity, supports the relationship, and acts in ways that preserve the family's trust and dignity. This responsibility should be shared by both partners. For example, someone who stays faithful, speaks honestly, and supports their partner during a crisis helps protect the whole household.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A good partner protects their own integrity, supports the relationship, and acts in ways that preserve the family's trust and dignity.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The good wife guards herself from blame, She tends her spouse and brings him fame
G.U. Pope Translation
Who guards herself, for husband's comfort cares, her household's fame,In perfect wise with sleepless soul preserves, -give her a woman's name
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
She is a wife who unweariedly guards herself, takes care of her husband, and preserves an unsullied fame
Tamil commentary
உடலாலும் உள்ளத்தாலும் தன்னைக் காத்து, தன் கணவனின் நலன்களில் கவனம் வைத்து, குடும்பத்திற்கு நலம் தரும் புகழைக் காத்து, அறத்தைக் கடைப்பிடிப்பதில் சோர்வடையாமல் இருப்பவளே மனைவி.
Chapter 6
More from The Worth of a Wife
வாழ்க்கைத் துணைநலம்
A good housewife befits the house, Spending with thrift the mate's resource
Kural 52Bright is home when wife is chaste If not all greatness is but waste
Kural 53What is rare when wife is good What can be there when she is bad?
Kural 54What greater fortune is for men Than a constant chaste woman?
Kural 55Her spouse before God who adores, Is like rain that at request pours
Kural 56The good wife guards herself from blame, She tends her spouse and brings him fame
Kural 57Of what avail are watch and ward? Their purity is women's guard
Kural 58Women who win their husbands' heart Shall flourish where the gods resort
Kural 59A cuckold has not the lion-like gait Before his detractors aright
Kural 60An honest wife is home's delight And children good are jewels abright