Thirukkural 59 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
புகழ்புரிந்த இல்லிலோர்க்கு இல்லை இகழ்வார்முன்
ஏறுபோல் பீடு நடை.
Transliteration
Pukazhpurindha Illilorkku Illai Ikazhvaarmun
Erupol Peetu Natai
Modern English
“A person cannot feel truly confident if their household is built on betrayal, dishonesty, or shameful conduct.”
Modern Interpretation
A person cannot feel truly confident if their household is built on betrayal, dishonesty, or shameful conduct. The respect earned by a faithful and principled family gives its members courage when others criticize them. For example, a couple who live honestly can face gossip calmly because they know their actions are sound.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
A person cannot feel truly confident if their household is built on betrayal, dishonesty, or shameful conduct.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
A cuckold has not the lion-like gait Before his detractors aright
G.U. Pope Translation
Who have not spouses that in virtue's praise delight,They lion-like can never walk in scorner's sight
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The man whose wife seeks not the praise (of chastity) cannot walk with lion-like stately step, before those who revile them
Tamil commentary
புகழை விரும்பிய மனைவியைப் பெறாதவர்க்கு அவர்களை ஏளனம் செய்வார் முன்னே ஆண் சிங்கமாய் நடக்கும் பெருமித நடை இல்லை.
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