The Kural
All chapters › Virtue (அறத்துப்பால்) › Chapter 19
புறங்கூறாமை
Kurals 181–190 of the Thirukkural, in the book of Virtue (அறத்துப்பால்).
அறங்கூறான் அல்ல செயினும் ஒருவன்
புறங்கூறான் என்றல் இனிது.
Though virtuous words his lips speak not, and all his deeds are ill.
If neighbour he defame not, there's good within him still.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Even if someone does no good and plenty wrong, it's something if people can say "at least they never gossip."
Open in the appஅறனழீஇ அல்லவை செய்தலின் தீதே
புறனழீஇப் பொய்த்து நகை.
Than he who virtue scorns, and evil deeds performs, more vile,
Is he that slanders friend, then meets him with false smile.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Trashing someone behind their back and smiling to their face is worse than any other wrong.
Open in the appபுறங்கூறிப் பொய்த்துயிர் வாழ்தலின் சாதல்
அறங்கூற்றும் ஆக்கத் தரும்.
'Tis greater gain of virtuous good for man to die,
Than live to slander absent friend, and falsely praise when nigh.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: For a two-faced backbiter, death is better than a life of lies.
Open in the appகண்ணின்று கண்ணறச் சொல்லினும் சொல்லற்க
முன்னின்று பின்நோக்காச் சொல்.
In presence though unkindly words you speak, say not
In absence words whose ill result exceeds your thought.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Even if you're harsh to someone's face, don't say hurtful things behind their back.
Open in the appஅறஞ்சொல்லும் நெஞ்சத்தான் அன்மை புறஞ்சொல்லும்
புன்மையாற் காணப் படும்.
The slanderous meanness that an absent friend defames,
'This man in words owns virtue, not in heart,' proclaims.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Talking behind people's backs shows that your talk of goodness is empty.
Open in the appபிறன்பழி கூறுவான் தன்பழி யுள்ளும்
திறன்தெரிந்து கூறப் படும்.
Who on his neighbours' sins delights to dwell,
The story of his sins, culled out with care, the world will tell.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Spread other people's faults, and yours will be dug up and spread too.
Open in the appபகச்சொல்லிக் கேளிர்ப் பிரிப்பர் நகச்சொல்லி
நட்பாடல் தேற்றா தவர்.
With friendly art who know not pleasant words to say,
Speak words that sever hearts, and drive choice friends away.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: People who can't make friends with warm conversation drive even family away through gossip.
Open in the appதுன்னியார் குற்றமும் தூற்றும் மரபினார்
என்னைகொல் ஏதிலார் மாட்டு.
Whose nature bids them faults of closest friends proclaim
What mercy will they show to other men's good name?
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: If someone exposes their closest friends' faults, imagine what they'd do to strangers.
Open in the appஅறன்நோக்கி ஆற்றுங்கொல் வையம் புறன்நோக்கிப்
புன்சொல் உரைப்பான் பொறை.
'Tis charity, I ween, that makes the earth sustain their load.
Who, neighbours' absence watching, tales or slander tell abroad.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: The earth carries those who trash people behind their backs only out of kindness.
Open in the appஏதிலார் குற்றம்போல் தங்குற்றங் காண்கிற்பின்
தீதுண்டோ மன்னும் உயிர்க்கு.
If each his own, as neighbours' faults would scan,
Could any evil hap to living man?
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: If we looked at our own faults the way we look at others', who would ever come to harm?
Open in the app