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

English Translation

“Of what avail are watch and ward? Their purity is women's guard”

Plain-English meaning

What avails the guard of a prison ? The chief guard of a woman is her chastity

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

What avails the guard of a prison ? The chief guard of a woman is her chastity

இத்தனை குணங்களும் இருக்கும்படி பெண்ணைச் சிறை வைத்துக் காவல் காப்பதில் பயன் என்ன? பெண்கள் தங்களைத் தாங்களே மன அடக்கத்தால் காக்கும் காவலே முதன்மையானது.

Chapter 6

வாழ்க்கைத் துணைநலம்

A good housewife befits the house, Spending with thrift the mate's resource

Bright is home when wife is chaste If not all greatness is but waste

What is rare when wife is good What can be there when she is bad?

What greater fortune is for men Than a constant chaste woman?

Her spouse before God who adores, Is like rain that at request pours

The good wife guards herself from blame, She tends her spouse and brings him fame

Of what avail are watch and ward? Their purity is women's guard

Women who win their husbands' heart Shall flourish where the gods resort

A cuckold has not the lion-like gait Before his detractors aright

An honest wife is home's delight And children good are jewels abright