II. Porutpaal

II.7 Kudi-iyal


Athikaaram 102 Naanudaimai

Kural 1011

Karumaththaal naanuthal naanuth thirunuthal
nallavar naana pira.




English translation:

II. WEALTH

II.7. Chapter on "how to be a good citizen"

Chapter. 102 Modesty


Kural 1011


To shrink abashed from evil deed is 'generous shame';
Other is that of bright-browed one of virtuous fame.
True modesty is the fear of (evil) deeds; all other modesty is (simply) the bashfulness of virtuous maids.

Kural - 1012
Food, clothing, and other things alike all beings own;
By sense of shame the excellence of men is known.
Food, clothing and the like are common to all men but modesty is speciality of the good.

Kural - 1013
All spirits homes of flesh as habitation claim,
And perfect virtue ever dwells with shame.
As the body is the abode of the spirit, so the excellence of modesty is the abode of perfection.

Kural - 1014
And is not shame an ornament to men of dignity?
Without it step of stately pride is piteous thing to see.
Is not the modesty ornament of the noble ? Without it, their haughtiness would be a pain (to others).

Kural - 1015
As home of virtuous shame by all the world the men are known,
Who feel ashamed for others, guilt as for their own.
The world regards as the abode of modesty him who fear his own and other's guilt.

Kural - 1016
Unless the hedge of shame inviolate remain,
For men of lofty soul the earth's vast realms no charms retain.
The great make modesty their barrier (of defence) and not the wide world.

Kural - 1017
The men of modest soul for shame would life an offering make,
But ne'er abandon virtuous shame for life's dear sake.
The modest would rather lose their life for the sake of modesty than lose modesty for the sake of life.

Kural - 1018
Though know'st no shame, while all around asha med must be:
Virtue will shrink away ashamed of thee!
Virtue is likely to forsake him who shamelessly does what others are ashamed of.

Kural - 1019
'Twill race consume if right observance fail;
'Twill every good consume if shamelessness prevail.
Want of manners injures one's family; but want of modesty injures one's character.


my understanding:
Sticking to one's policies might harm the family sometime, but, if one does not have modesty it might affect his good life itself.




Kural - 1020
'Tis as with strings a wooden puppet apes life's functions, when
Those void of shame within hold intercourse with men.
The actions of those who are without modesty at heart are like those of puppet moved by a string.