Following is the translation of Thirukkural, a discourse on ethics, its author is Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar who lived around 3rd Century. It’s translation is done by Mr. NV Subbaraman, he lives in Chennai.

                                                                         AVOIDING MISDEED

                                                                          குற்றம் கடிதல்

                                                                              ~*~

Original

செருக்கும், சினமும்,சிறுமையும் இல்லார்

பெருக்கம் பெருமித நீர்த்து

Pronunciation

Serukkum sinamum sirumaiyum illaar

Perukkam perumidha neerththu

Translation

Sure that makes one great

No ego, wrath and mean lust

The whole world to greet!

Comment

Glory indeed for the one who is free from ego, anger and  lust who in fact loved by all.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

இவறலும் மாண்பு இறந்தமானமும் மாணா

உவகையும் ஏதம் இறைக்கு.

Pronunciation

Ivaralum maaNbu irandha maanamum maaNaa

Uvakaiyum aetham irakku.

Traslation

Base pleasure, mean pride

Merit less joy –blemishes

One should override!

Comment

It is indeed a great blemish on the part of the powers that be to have base pleasure, mean pride and  joy that has no merit.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

தினைத்துணையாம் குற்றம் வரினும் பனைத்துணையாக்

கொள்வர் பழிநாணு வார்

Pronunciation

ThinaiththuNaiyaam kutram varinum panaiththuNaiyaak

KoLvar pazinaaNuvaar.

Translation

Sensitive they are

Deem small fault as palm tree tall

And avoid for sure!

Comment

Sensitive people will treat even a small fault committed by them as  tall as a palm tree and carefully avoid  repetition of the mistakes committed.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

குற்றமே காக்க பொருளாக; குற்றமே

அற்றம் தரூஉம் பகை.

Pronunciation

Kutramae kaakka poruLaaga; kutramae

Atram tharoom pagai.

Translation

Misdeeds indeed foes

Those lead to disaster sure

Guard keeping on toes!

Comment

Misdeeds lead one to disaster; it is therefore imperative to keep ourselves safe from committing wrong acts.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

வருமுன்னர் காவாதான் வாழ்க்கை எரிமுன்னர்

வைத்தூறு போலக் கெடும்.

Pronunciation

Varumunnar kaavaadhaan vaazkkai erimunnar

Vaiththooru poalak kedum.

Translation

Guard against misdeeds

Lest, we lose ourselves as straw

Caught in the fire neat!

Comment

One who does not commit misdeeds, preventing beforehand, will lose his life just as the straw near the fire gets into the same and finds its end.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

தன்குற்றம் நீக்கிப் பிறர்குற்றம் காண்பிற்பின்

என்குற்ற மாகும் இறைக்கு?.

Pronunciation

Thankutram neekkip pirarkutram kaaNbirpin

Enkutra  maagum iraikku.

Translation

Free from flaws we keep,

Find the flaws of others to

Scrap, the world goes clean!

Comment

Before pointing out the flaws of others, one has to analyze his own and rectify. The world will be at peace.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

செயற்பால செய்யாது இவறியான் செல்வம்

உயற்பாலது இன்றிக் கெடும்.

Pronunciation

Seyarpaala seyyaadhu ivariyaan selvam

Uyarpaaladhu indrik kedum.

Translation

Wealth of the miser

Helps neither him nor others

Goes waste and lost forever!

Comment

If one does not do what he can do to help others with his wealth, he will lose his wealth ultimately without any use to anyone.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

பற்றுள்ளம் என்னும் இவறன்மை எற்றுள்ளும்

எண்ணப் படுவதொன்று அன்று.

Pronunciation

PatruLLam ennum ivaranmai etruLLum

ENNap paduvadhonru andru.

Translation

Miser’s greed – indeed

Fault of the worst order sure

A poisonous seed!

Comment

It is indeed a greater flaw to nurse too much of love towards his wealth in a miserly manner, not helping anyone else.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

வியவற்க எஞ்ஞான்றும் தன்னை; நயவற்க

நன்றி பயவா வினை.

Pronunciation

Viyavarka engngaandrum thannai; nayavarka

Nandri payavaa vinai.

Translation

Self boasting a crime

So is a misdeed that hurts

To guard- duty prime!

Comment

Thinking great about himself, he should not boast and brag; similarly one should not desire to do a thing that is not of any use to others.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

காதல காதல் அறியாமை உய்க்கிற்பின்

ஏதில ஏதிலார் நூல்.

Pronunciation

Kaadhala kaadhal ariyaamai uykkirpin

Aedhila aedhilaar nool.

Translation

Designs of the foes

Succeeds not, when one acts discreet

Till results he shows!

Comment

When one acts discretely till he succeeds in his efforts without anyone knowing about it, the design of his enemies cannot succeed.