Thirukkural 956 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
சலம்பற்றிச் சால்பில செய்யார்மா சற்ற
குலம்பற்றி வாழ்தும் என் பார்.
Transliteration
Salampatrich Chaalpila Seyyaarmaa Satra
Kulampatri Vaazhdhum En Paar
Modern English
“People who value their good name do not use deceit or harmful shortcuts, even when life becomes difficult.”
Modern Interpretation
People who value their good name do not use deceit or harmful shortcuts, even when life becomes difficult. For example, a job seeker facing hardship should not invent qualifications to get hired.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People who value their good name do not use deceit or harmful shortcuts, even when life becomes difficult.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Who guard their family prestige pure Stoop not to acts of cunning lure
G.U. Pope Translation
Whose minds are set to live as fits their sire's unspotted fame,Stooping to low deceit, commit no deeds that gender shame
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Those who seek to preserve the irreproachable honour of their families will not viciously do what is detrimental thereto
Tamil commentary
குற்றம் இல்லாமல் வரும் தம் குடும்ப மரபோடு வாழ்வோம் என்பவர், வறுமை வந்தபோதும், வஞ்சகம் கொண்டு, பொருந்தாத செயல்களைச் செய்யமாட்டார்.
Chapter 96
More from Nobility
குடிமை
Right-sense and bashfulness adorn By nature only the noble-born
Kural 952The noble-born lack not these three: Good conduct, truth and modesty
Kural 953Smile, gift, sweet words and courtesy These four mark true nobility
Kural 954Even for crores, the noble mood Cannot bend to degrading deed
Kural 955The means of gift may dwindle; yet Ancient homes guard their noble trait
Kural 956Who guard their family prestige pure Stoop not to acts of cunning lure
Kural 957The faults of nobly-born are seen Like on the sky the spots of moon
Kural 958If manners of the good are rude People deem their pedigree crude
Kural 959Soil's nature is seen in sprout The worth of birth from words flow out
Kural 960All gain good name by modesty Nobility by humility