Thirukkural 990 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
சான்றவர் சான்றாண்மை குன்றின் இருநிலந்தான்
தாங்காது மன்னோ பொறை.
Transliteration
Saandravar Saandraanmai Kundrin Irunilandhaan
Thaangaadhu Manno Porai
Modern English
“If trustworthy and principled people lose their character, society loses the support that holds it together.”
Modern Interpretation
If trustworthy and principled people lose their character, society loses the support that holds it together. For example, a community can quickly fall into distrust when its leaders stop keeping promises and acting fairly.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
If trustworthy and principled people lose their character, society loses the support that holds it together.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The world will not more bear its weight If from high virtue fall the great
G.U. Pope Translation
The mighty earth its burthen to sustain must cease,If perfect virtue of the perfect men decrease
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
If there is a defect in the character of the perfect, (even) the great world cannot bear (its) burden
Tamil commentary
சான்றோர் தம் சான்றாண்மைப் பண்பிலிருந்து விலகிக் குறைவுபடுவார் என்றால், இப்பூவுலகம் தன் பாரம் தாங்காமல் அழியும்.
Chapter 99
More from Perfectness
சான்றாண்மை
All goodness is duty to them Who are dutiful and sublime
Kural 982Good in the great is character Than that there is nothing better
Kural 983Love, truth, regard, modesty, grace These five are virtue's resting place
Kural 984Not to kill is penance pure Not to slander virtue sure
Kural 985Humility is valour's strength A force that averts foes at length
Kural 986To bear repulse e'en from the mean Is the touch-stone of worthy men
Kural 987Of perfection what is the gain If it returns not joy for pain?
Kural 988No shame there is in poverty To one strong in good quality
Kural 989Aeons may change but not the seer Who is a sea of virtue pure
Kural 990The world will not more bear its weight If from high virtue fall the great