Thirukkural 965 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
குன்றின் அனையாரும் குன்றுவர் குன்றுவ
குன்றி அனைய செயின்.
Transliteration
Kundrin Anaiyaarum Kundruvar Kundruva
Kundri Anaiya Seyin
Modern English
“Even a person who seems as firm as a mountain can fall through one small, degrading act.”
Modern Interpretation
Even a person who seems as firm as a mountain can fall through one small, degrading act. For example, a respected leader may damage years of trust with one cruel public insult.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Even a person who seems as firm as a mountain can fall through one small, degrading act.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Even hill-like men will sink to nought With abrus-grain-like small default
G.U. Pope Translation
If meanness, slight as 'abrus' grain, by men be wrought,Though like a hill their high estate, they sink to nought
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Even those who are exalted like a hill will be thought low, if they commit deeds that are debasing
Tamil commentary
நல்ல குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்து மலைபோல உயர்ந்தவரும்கூட தாழ்வானவற்றை ஒரு குன்றிமணி அளவு செய்தாலும் தாழ்ந்து போவார்.
Chapter 97
More from Honour
மானம்
Though needed for your life in main, From mean degrading acts refrain
Kural 962Who seek honour and manly fame Don't do mean deeds even for name
Kural 963Be humble in prosperity In decline uphold dignity
Kural 964Like hair fallen from head are those Who fall down from their high status
Kural 965Even hill-like men will sink to nought With abrus-grain-like small default
Kural 966Why fawn on men that scorn you here It yields no fame, heaven's bliss neither
Kural 967Better it is to die forlorn Than live as slaves of those who scorn
Kural 968Is nursing body nectar sweet Even when one's honour is lost?
Kural 969Honour lost, the noble expire Like a yak that loses its hair
Kural 970Their light the world adores and hails Who will not live when honour fails