Thirukkural 984 in English

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

Tamil original

கொல்லா நலத்தது நோன்மை பிறர்தீமை
சொல்லா நலத்தது சால்பு.

Transliteration

Kollaa Nalaththadhu Nonmai Pirardheemai
Sollaa Nalaththadhu Saalpu

English Translation

“Not to kill is penance pure Not to slander virtue sure”

Plain-English meaning

Penance consists in the goodness that kills not , and perfection in the goodness that tells not others' faults

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Not to kill is penance pure Not to slander virtue sure

G.U. Pope Translation

The type of 'penitence' is virtuous good that nothing slays;To speak no ill of other men is perfect virtue's praise

Plain-English Meaning

Penance consists in the goodness that kills not , and perfection in the goodness that tells not others' faults

பிற உயிர்களைக் கொல்லாதிருப்பது தனத்திற்கு அழகு; பிறர் குறைகளைப் பேசாதிருப்பது சான்றாண்மைக்கு அழகு.

Chapter 99

சான்றாண்மை

All goodness is duty to them Who are dutiful and sublime

Good in the great is character Than that there is nothing better

Love, truth, regard, modesty, grace These five are virtue's resting place

Not to kill is penance pure Not to slander virtue sure

Humility is valour's strength A force that averts foes at length

To bear repulse e'en from the mean Is the touch-stone of worthy men

Of perfection what is the gain If it returns not joy for pain?

No shame there is in poverty To one strong in good quality

Aeons may change but not the seer Who is a sea of virtue pure

The world will not more bear its weight If from high virtue fall the great