The Kural
All chapters › Wealth (பொருட்பால்) › Chapter 51
தெரிந்து தெளிதல்
Kurals 501–510 of the Thirukkural, in the book of Wealth (பொருட்பால்).
அறம்பொருள் இன்பம் உயிரச்சம் நான்கின்
திறந்தெரிந்து தேறப் படும்.
How treats he virtue, wealth and pleasure? How, when life's at stake,
Comports himself? This four-fold test of man will full assurance make.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Test people before trusting them: their values, what they fear and their attitude to money and pleasure.
Open in the appகுடிப்பிறந்து குற்றத்தின் நீங்கி வடுப்பரியும்
நாணுடையான் சுட்டே தெளிவு.
Of noble race, of faultless worth, of generous pride
That shrinks from shame or stain; in him may king confide.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Choose people from good backgrounds, without serious faults, who are ashamed of doing wrong.
Open in the appஅரியகற்று ஆசற்றார் கண்ணும் தெரியுங்கால்
இன்மை அரிதே வெளிறு.
Though deeply learned, unflecked by fault, 'tis rare to see,
When closely scanned, a man from all unwisdom free.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Even well-read people without obvious faults turn out to have blind spots when you look closely.
Open in the appகுணம்நாடிக் குற்றமும் நாடி அவற்றுள்
மிகைநாடி மிக்க கொளல்.
Weigh well the good of each, his failings closely scan,
As these or those prevail, so estimate the man.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Look at someone's strengths and weaknesses, then judge them by whichever outweighs the other.
Open in the appபெருமைக்கும் ஏனைச் சிறுமைக்கும் தத்தம்
கருமமே கட்டளைக் கல்.
Of greatness and of meanness too,
The deeds of each are touchstone true.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: What people do is the real test of how great or small they are.
Open in the appஅற்றாரைத் தேறுதல் ஓம்புக மற்றவர்
பற்றிலர் நாணார் பழி.
Beware of trusting men who have no kith or kin;
No bonds restrain such men, no shame deters from sin.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Don't rely on people with no ties to anyone; with nothing to lose, they fear nothing.
Open in the appகாதன்மை கந்தா அறிவறியார்த் தேறுதல்
பேதைமை எல்லாந் தரும்.
By fond affection led who trusts in men of unwise soul,
Yields all his being up to folly's blind control.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Hiring people who don't know the job just because you like them is the height of foolishness.
Open in the appதேரான் பிறனைத் தெளிந்தான் வழிமுறை
தீரா இடும்பை தரும்.
Who trusts an untried stranger, brings disgrace,
Remediless, on all his race.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Trusting a stranger you haven't checked out brings trouble that can last for generations.
Open in the appதேறற்க யாரையும் தேராது தேர்ந்தபின்
தேறுக தேறும் பொருள்.
Trust no man whom you have not fully tried,
When tested, in his prudence proved confide.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Don't trust anyone without checking; once you have, give them responsibility without second-guessing.
Open in the appதேரான் தெளிவும் தெளிந்தான்கண் ஐயுறவும்
தீரா இடும்பை தரும்.
Trust where you have not tried, doubt of a friend to feel,
Once trusted, wounds inflict that nought can heal.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Trusting someone unchecked, or doubting someone you've already chosen, both bring trouble you can't fix.
Open in the app