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
Modern English
“The image of the animal that cannot live without its coat shows how deeply honor can matter to a proud and principled person.”
Modern Interpretation
The image of the animal that cannot live without its coat shows how deeply honor can matter to a proud and principled person. For example, someone may give up comfort and leave rather than accept a public demand to betray what they believe is right.
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Modern Plain English
The image of the animal that cannot live without its coat shows how deeply honor can matter to a proud and principled person.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
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
Tamil commentary
மயிர்எலாம் இழந்துவிட்டால் உயிர் வாழ முடியாத கவரிமான் (சாமரம்) போன்றவர் தம் குடும்பப் பெருமை எல்லாம் அழிய நேர்ந்தால் உயிர் வாழமாட்டார்.
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