Thirukkural 962 in English

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

Tamil original

சீரினும் சீரல்ல செய்யாரே சீரொடு
பேராண்மை வேண்டு பவர்.

Transliteration

Seerinum Seeralla Seyyaare Seerotu
Peraanmai Ventu Pavar

English Translation

“Who seek honour and manly fame Don't do mean deeds even for name”

Plain-English meaning

Those who desire (to maintain their) honour, will surely do nothing dishonourable, even for the sake of fame

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Who seek honour and manly fame Don't do mean deeds even for name

G.U. Pope Translation

Who seek with glory to combine honour's untarnished fame,Do no inglorious deeds, though men accord them glory's name

Plain-English Meaning

Those who desire (to maintain their) honour, will surely do nothing dishonourable, even for the sake of fame

புகழுடன் தன் குடும்பப் பெருமையை நிலைநாட்ட விரும்புபவர் புகழுக்குரியவற்றைச் செய்யும்போதும் தம் குடும்பப் பெருமைக்கு ஏற்காத இழிவுகளைச் செய்யமாட்டார்.

Chapter 97

மானம்

Though needed for your life in main, From mean degrading acts refrain

Who seek honour and manly fame Don't do mean deeds even for name

Be humble in prosperity In decline uphold dignity

Like hair fallen from head are those Who fall down from their high status

Even hill-like men will sink to nought With abrus-grain-like small default

Why fawn on men that scorn you here It yields no fame, heaven's bliss neither

Better it is to die forlorn Than live as slaves of those who scorn

Is nursing body nectar sweet Even when one's honour is lost?

Honour lost, the noble expire Like a yak that loses its hair

Their light the world adores and hails Who will not live when honour fails