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நாணுடைமை: Shame
About this chapter
நாணுடைமை, shame (a sense of modesty and conscience), is about the feeling of shame at wrongdoing as a moral safeguard. It is not about being shy.
Kural 1011 gives the definition. True shame is shrinking from a wrong deed, and other kinds are of a different order. Kural 1012 says food, clothing and the like are common to all living beings, and what marks out humans is a sense of shame. Kural 1013 adds that perfection dwells with shame as life dwells in the body. Kural 1014 calls shame the ornament of the great, and says that without it their stately gait is a disease. Kural 1015 says the world sees as the home of shame those who feel ashamed of the faults of others as well as their own. Kural 1016 says that the great take shame as their fence, not the wide earth. Kural 1017 states that the modest would give up life for shame but not give up shame for life. Kural 1018 warns that virtue itself will be ashamed of one who feels no shame at what others find shameful. Kural 1019 says that lack of right conduct harms the family and lack of shame harms every good. Kural 1020 ends by comparing the shameless to a wooden puppet moved by strings.
Kural 1011 is the one to know. Kural 1020 gives the chapter's last image.
For the syllabus, it fits universal values, especially conscience and integrity in public life.
The 10 kurals of நாணுடைமை
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
கருமத்தால் நாணுதல் நாணுந் திருநுதல்
நல்லவர் நாணுப் பிற.
Karumaththaal Naanudhal Naanun Thirunudhal
Nallavar Naanup Pira
To shrink abashed from evil deed is 'generous shame'; Other is that of bright-browed one of virtuous fame
ஊணுடை எச்சம் உயிர்க்கெல்லாம் வேறல்ல
நாணுடைமை மாந்தர் சிறப்பு.
Oonutai Echcham Uyirkkellaam Veralla
Naanutaimai Maandhar Sirappu
Food, clothing, and other things alike all beings own; By sense of shame the excellence of men is known
ஊனைக் குறித்த உயிரெல்லாம் நாண்என்னும்
நன்மை குறித்தது சால்பு.
Oonaik Kuriththa Uyirellaam Naanennum
Nanmai Kuriththadhu Saalpu
All spirits homes of flesh as habitation claim, And perfect virtue ever dwells with shame
அணிஅன்றோ நாணுடைமை சான்றோர்க்கு அஃதின்றேல்
பிணிஅன்றோ பீடு நடை.
Aniandro Naanutaimai Saandrorkku Aqdhindrel
Piniandro Peetu Natai
And is not shame an ornament to men of dignity?Without it step of stately pride is piteous thing to see
பிறர்பழியும் தம்பழியும் நாணுவார் நாணுக்கு
உறைபதி என்னும் உலகு.
Pirarpazhiyum Thampazhiyum Naanuvaar Naanukku
Uraipadhi Ennum Ulaku
As home of virtuous shame by all the world the men are known, Who feel ashamed for others, guilt as for their own
நாண்வேலி கொள்ளாது மன்னோ வியன்ஞாலம்
பேணலர் மேலா யவர்.
Naanveli Kollaadhu Manno Viyangnaalam
Penalar Melaa Yavar
Unless the hedge of shame inviolate remain, For men of lofty soul the earth's vast realms no charms retain
நாணால் உயிரைத் துறப்பர் உயிர்ப்பொருட்டால்
நாண்துறவார் நாணாள் பவர்.
Naanaal Uyiraith Thurappar Uyirpporuttaal
Naandhuravaar Naanaal Pavar
The men of modest soul for shame would life an offering make, But ne'er abandon virtuous shame for life's dear sake
பிறர்நாணத் தக்கது தான்நாணா னாயின்
அறம்நாணத் தக்கது உடைத்து.
Pirarnaanath Thakkadhu Thaannaanaa Naayin
Aramnaanath Thakkadhu Utaiththu
Though know'st no shame, while all around asha med must be:Virtue will shrink away ashamed of thee
குலஞ்சுடும் கொள்கை பிழைப்பின் நலஞ்சுடும்
நாணின்மை நின்றக் கடை.
Kulanjutum Kolkai Pizhaippin Nalanjutum
Naaninmai Nindrak Katai
'Twill race consume if right observance fail;'Twill every good consume if shamelessness prevail
நாண்அகத் தில்லார் இயக்கம் மரப்பாவை
நாணால் உயிர்மருட்டி அற்று.
Naanakath Thillaar Iyakkam Marappaavai
Naanaal Uyirmarutti Atru
'Tis as with strings a wooden puppet apes life's functions, whenThose void of shame within hold intercourse with men
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