Thirukkural 57 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
சிறைகாக்கும் காப்பெவன் செய்யும் மகளிர்
நிறைகாக்கும் காப்பே தலை.
Transliteration
Siraikaakkum Kaappevan Seyyum Makalir
Niraikaakkum Kaappe Thalai
Modern English
“A person's character cannot be created by locking them up or constantly watching them.”
Modern Interpretation
A person's character cannot be created by locking them up or constantly watching them. Real integrity comes from inner judgment and self-respect. For example, a family may guide a young person with trust and good values, but the lasting protection comes from that person's own ability to choose what is right.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A person's character cannot be created by locking them up or constantly watching them.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Of what avail are watch and ward? Their purity is women's guard
G.U. Pope Translation
Of what avail is watch and ward?Honour's woman's safest guard
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
What avails the guard of a prison ? The chief guard of a woman is her chastity
Tamil commentary
இத்தனை குணங்களும் இருக்கும்படி பெண்ணைச் சிறை வைத்துக் காவல் காப்பதில் பயன் என்ன? பெண்கள் தங்களைத் தாங்களே மன அடக்கத்தால் காக்கும் காவலே முதன்மையானது.
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