Thirukkural 969 in English

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

Tamil original

மயிர்நீப்பின் வாழாக் கவரிமா அன்னார்
உயிர்நீப்பர் மானம் வரின்.

Transliteration

Mayirneeppin Vaazhaak Kavarimaa Annaar
Uyirneeppar Maanam Varin

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

Those who give up (their) life when (their) honour is at stake are like the yark which kills itself at the loss of (even one of) its hairs

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Like the wild ox that, of its tuft bereft, will pine away,Are those who, of their honour shorn, will quit the light of day

Plain-English Meaning

Those who give up (their) life when (their) honour is at stake are like the yark which kills itself at the loss of (even one of) its hairs

மயிர்எலாம் இழந்துவிட்டால் உயிர் வாழ முடியாத கவரிமான் (சாமரம்) போன்றவர் தம் குடும்பப் பெருமை எல்லாம் அழிய நேர்ந்தால் உயிர் வாழமாட்டார்.

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