Thirukkural 958 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

நலத்தின்கண் நாரின்மை தோன்றின் அவனைக்
குலத்தின்கண் ஐயப் படும்.

Transliteration

Nalaththinkan Naarinmai Thondrin Avanaik
Kulaththinkan Aiyap Patum

English Translation

“If manners of the good are rude People deem their pedigree crude”

Plain-English meaning

If one of a good family betrays want of affection, his descent from it will be called in question

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

If manners of the good are rude People deem their pedigree crude

G.U. Pope Translation

If lack of love appear in those who bear some goodly name,'Twill make men doubt the ancestry they claim

Plain-English Meaning

If one of a good family betrays want of affection, his descent from it will be called in question

நல்ல குடும்பத்திலிருந்து வருகின்றவனிடம் அன்பு இல்லாது இருந்தால் அக்குடும்பத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவன் தானா என்று அவனை இந்த உலகம் சந்தேகப்படும்.

Chapter 96

குடிமை

Right-sense and bashfulness adorn By nature only the noble-born

The noble-born lack not these three: Good conduct, truth and modesty

Smile, gift, sweet words and courtesy These four mark true nobility

Even for crores, the noble mood Cannot bend to degrading deed

The means of gift may dwindle; yet Ancient homes guard their noble trait

Who guard their family prestige pure Stoop not to acts of cunning lure

The faults of nobly-born are seen Like on the sky the spots of moon

If manners of the good are rude People deem their pedigree crude

Soil's nature is seen in sprout The worth of birth from words flow out

All gain good name by modesty Nobility by humility