Following is the translation of Thirukkural, a discourse on ethics, its author is Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, who lived around 3rd Century. Its translation is done by Mr. NV Subbaraman, he lives in Chennai.
Chapter 51
Judging the people for confidence
அதிகாரம் 51
தெரிந்து தெளிதல்
~*~
Original
அறம்பொருள் இன்பம் உயிர் அச்சம் நான்கின்
திறம் தெறிந்து தேறப் படும்.
Pronunciation
AramporuL inbam uyirachcham naangin
Thiram therindhu thaerappadum.
Translation
Virtue, wealth, pleasure
Fear of life judge by these four
Trust truth in measure.
Comment
Only after judging the foursome-virtue, wealth, pleasure and fear of life in one, we can assess whether one is capable for a given assignment.
~*~
Original
குடிப்பிறந்து குற்றத்தின் நீங்கி வடுப்பரியும்
நாண்உடையான் கட்டே தெளிவு.
Pronunciation
Kudippirandhu kutraththin neengi vaduppariyum
NaaNudaiyaan kattae theLivu.
Translation
Spotless name in one’s
Noble birth and a sense of
Shame in doing wrong
Is the person right to the
Choice for success strong.
Comment
We can confidently believe a person to accomplish a good assignment, if he comes of a family noble and spotless character and who is afraid of doing wrong and hence abstains from the same.
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Original
அறியகற்று ஆகஅற்றார் கண்ணும் தெரியுங்கால்
இன்மை அறிதே வெளிறு.
Pronunciation
Ariyakatru aaga atraar kaNNum theriyungaal
Inmai aridhae veLiru.
Translation
Though they are scholars
Great, seldom many are free
From ignorance clear!
Comment
Even in highly learned and free from all other blemishes, trace of ignorance is seen.
~*~
Original
குணம்நாடிக் குற்றமும் நாடி, அவற்றுள்
மிகைநாடி மிக்கக் கொளல்.
Pronunciation
GuNam naadik kutramum naadi avatruL
Migai naadi mikkak koLal.
Translation
Man’s good and bad be
Weighed and judge by the virtues
Prevailing more sure be.
Comment
One has to analyze the other’s good and bad and conclude about him on the basis of the quantum of the same.
~*~
Original
பெருமைக்கும் ஏனைச் சிறுமைக்கும் தம்தம்
கருமமே கட்டளைக் கல்.
Pronunciation
Perumaikkum aenaichcirumaikkum thamtham
Karumamae kattaLaikkal.
Translation
Deeds are the touchstone
That shows very clear that
He is tall or mean.
Comment
To assess a person whether is tall or mean, god or bad touchstone is his quality of deeds and actions.
~*~
Original
அற்றாரைத் தேறுதல் ஓம்புக; மற்றுஅவர்
பற்றிலர்;நாணார் பழி.
Pronunciation
Atraaraith thaerudhal oambuga; matru avar
Patrilar naaNaar pazi.
Translation
Choose not one sans kin
He knows no love or respect
Never stays from sin.
Comment
Let us not chose the one to be friendly with who has no friends and relatives, kith and kin as he knows not what love or affection is.
~*~
Original
காதன்மை கந்தா அறிவுஅறியார் தேறுதல்
பேதைமை எல்லாம் தரும்.
Pronunciation
Kaadhanmai kandhaa arivuariyaar thaerudhal
Paedhaimai ellaam tharum.
Translation
Just because one shows a little love, if we choose him to be our friend without analyzing other aspects, that friendship will lead to miseries.
~*~
Original
தேரான் பிறனைத் தெளிந்தான் வழிமுறை
தீரா இடும்பை தரும்.
Pronunciation
Thaeraan piranaith theLindhaanvazimurai
Theeraa idumbai tharum.
Translation
Trusting a man blind
Unknown and untried sure leads
To miseries that bind.
Comment
Without analyzing, it is not right to trust the unknown and untried persons. It brings miseries not only the person who believes but his descendents too.
~*~
Original
தேறற்க யாரையும் தேராது; தேர்ந்தபின்
தேறுக தேறும் பொருள்.
Pronunciation
Thaerarka yaaraiyum thaeraadhu; thaerndhapin
Thaeruga thaerum poruL.
Translation
Trust not a person
Sans testing; on test fail not
To give work for certain.
Comment
Whoever it is test him before trusting, and once found fit fail not to use him right for all the right things sure..
~*~
Original
தேரான் தெளிவும் தெளிந்தான்கண் ஐயுறவும்
தீரா இடும்பை தரும்.
Pronunciation
Thaeraan theLivum theLindhaankaN aiyuravum
Theeraa idumbai tharum.
Translation
Trusting the doubtful
And doubting the trusted both
Are ever harmful.
Comment
Totally believing a person without testing his credentials and doubting the already tested and trusted both are bound to lead to grief and miseries.
Seek the virtuous and noble, feeling sorry for committing mistakes in life ;
Be known, no one is free from total ignorance, scholarly not excluded ;
Make an in-depth analysis of one’s deeds, good and bad,and his capacity for love and respect;
Trust not the doubtful, and doubt not the trusted, and make the latter useful in ways
possible!
This is how Thiruvalluvar guides us to judge people and then make them friendlier!
A good translation from Shri. NVS!
Thanks Shri Sivanganam
Great prescriptions on life,love,friendship,trust and many more acts of wisdom and choosing the right! Essence of these aspects are well brought out keeping the native meaning intact. My congrats to you sir for your efforts.
Thanks Prasad.