Chapter 19: Not Backbiting

அறங்கூறான் அல்ல செயினும் ஒருவன்
புறங்கூறான் என்றல் இனிது.

Arangooraan Alla Seyinum Oruvan
Purangooraan Endral Inidhu

Though a man from virtue strays, To keep from slander brings him praise

Meaning: Though one do not even speak of virtue and live in sin, it will be well if it be said of him "he does not backbite."

அறனழீஇ அல்லவை செய்தலின் தீதே
புறனழீஇப் பொய்த்து நகை.

Aranazheei Allavai Seydhalin Theedhe
Puranazheeip Poiththu Nakai

Who bite behind, and before smile Are worse than open traitors vile

Meaning: To smile deceitfully (in another's presence) after having reviled him to his destruction (behind his back) is a greater evil than the commission of (every other) sin and the destruction of (every) virtue

புறங்கூறிப் பொய்த்துயிர் வாழ்தலின் சாதல்
அறங்கூற்றும் ஆக்கத் தரும்.

Purangoorip Poiththuyir Vaazhdhalin Saadhal
Arangootrum Aakkath Tharum

Virtue thinks it better to die, Than live to backbite and to lie

Meaning: Death rather than life will confer upon the deceitful backbiter the profit which (the treatises on) virtue point out

கண்ணின்று கண்ணறச் சொல்லினும் சொல்லற்க
முன்னின்று பின்நோக்காச் சொல்.

Kannindru Kannarach Chollinum Sollarka
Munnindru Pinnokkaach Chol

Though harsh you speak in one's presence Abuse is worse in his absence

Meaning: Though you speak without kindness before another's face speak not in his absence words which regard not the evil subsequently resulting from it

அறஞ்சொல்லும் நெஞ்சத்தான் அன்மை புறஞ்சொல்லும்
புன்மையாற் காணப் படும்.

Aranjollum Nenjaththaan Anmai Puranjollum
Punmaiyaar Kaanap Patum

Who turns to slander makes it plain His praise of virtue is in vain

Meaning: The emptiness of that man's mind who (merely) praises virtue will be seen from the meanness of reviling another behind his back

பிறன்பழி கூறுவான் தன்பழி யுள்ளும்
திறன்தெரிந்து கூறப் படும்.

Piranpazhi Kooruvaan Thanpazhi Yullum
Thirandherindhu Koorap Patum

His failings will be found and shown, Who makes another's failings known

Meaning: The character of the faults of that man who publishes abroad the faults of others will be sought out and published

பகச்சொல்லிக் கேளிர்ப் பிரிப்பர் நகச்சொல்லி
நட்பாடல் தேற்றா தவர்.

Pakachchollik Kelirp Pirippar Nakachcholli
Natpaatal Thetraa Thavar

By pleasing words who make not friends Sever their hearts by hostile trends

Meaning: Those who know not to live in friendship with amusing conversation will by back-biting estrange even their relatives

துன்னியார் குற்றமும் தூற்றும் மரபினார்
என்னைகொல் ஏதிலார் மாட்டு.

Thunniyaar Kutramum Thootrum Marapinaar
Ennaikol Edhilaar Maattu

What will they not to strangers do Who bring their friends' defects to view?

Meaning: What will those not do to strangers whose nature leads them to publish abroad the faults of their intimate friends ?

அறன்நோக்கி ஆற்றுங்கொல் வையம் புறன்நோக்கிப்
புன்சொல் உரைப்பான் பொறை.

Arannokki Aatrungol Vaiyam Purannokkip
Punsol Uraippaan Porai

The world in mercy bears his load Who rants behind words untoward

Meaning: The world through charity supports the weight of those who reproach others observing their absence

ஏதிலார் குற்றம்போல் தங்குற்றங் காண்கிற்பின்
தீதுண்டோ மன்னும் உயிர்க்கு.

Edhilaar Kutrampol Thangutrang Kaankirpin
Theedhunto Mannum Uyirkku

No harm would fall to any man If each his own defect could scan

Meaning: If they observed their own faults as they observe the faults of others, would any evil happen to men ?