Thirukkural 980 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அற்றம் மறைக்கும் பெருமை சிறுமைதான்
குற்றமே கூறி விடும்.
Transliteration
Atram Maraikkum Perumai Sirumaidhaan
Kutrame Koori Vitum
Modern English
“A generous person protects others from needless embarrassment, while a petty person points out every fault.”
Modern Interpretation
A generous person protects others from needless embarrassment, while a petty person points out every fault. For example, a thoughtful colleague corrects a mistake privately instead of exposing it in a group chat—without hiding serious harm.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A generous person protects others from needless embarrassment, while a petty person points out every fault.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Weakness of others greatness screens Smallness defects alone proclaims
G.U. Pope Translation
Greatness will hide a neighbour's shame;Meanness his faults to all the world proclaim
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The great hide the faults of others; the base only divulge them
Tamil commentary
பெருமைக்குரியவர் பிறர் பெருமைகளைச் சொல்லி அவர் குறைகளைக் கூறாமல் மறைத்து விடுவர்; சிறுமைக்கு உரியவர்களோ பிறர் பெருமைகளை மறைத்துக் குறைகளை மட்டுமே கூறிவிடுவர்.
Chapter 98
More from Greatness
பெருமை
A heart of courage lives in light Devoid of that one's life is night
Kural 972All beings are the same in birth But work decides their varied worth
Kural 973Ignoble high not high they are The noble low not low they fare
Kural 974Greatness like woman's chastity Is guarded by self-varacity
Kural 975Great souls when their will is active Do mighty deeds rare to achieve
Kural 976The petty-natured ones have not The mind to seek and befriend the great
Kural 977The base with power and opulence Wax with deeds of insolence
Kural 978Greatness bends with modesty Meanness vaunts with vanity
Kural 979Greatness is free from insolence Littleness swells with that offence
Kural 980Weakness of others greatness screens Smallness defects alone proclaims