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புறங்கூறாமை: Not Backbiting
About this chapter
புறங்கூறாமை, not backbiting, warns against speaking ill of a person behind their back. The chapter treats this as a grave fault and shows how it rebounds on the speaker.
Kural 181 opens with a modest standard: even a person who does no good deserves some credit if he does not backbite. Kural 182 goes harder, saying that smiling falsely at someone after reviling him behind his back is worse than rejecting virtue. Kural 183 says death is better than a life spent in slander, and Kural 184 advises that even if one is harsh to a person's face, one should not say in his absence what will do unforeseen harm. Kural 185 holds that backbiting exposes the emptiness of someone who only talks of virtue. Kurals 186 to 188 look at consequences: the faults of the backbiter will themselves be sought out (Kural 186), backbiting drives even relatives and friends apart (Kural 187), and a person who publishes his friends' faults will spare no stranger (Kural 188). Kural 189 wonders that the earth bears such people, and Kural 190 closes with the cure: if each looked at his own faults as he looks at others', no evil would befall anyone.
Kural 184 and Kural 190 are the most useful, one as a rule of speech and the other as a habit of mind.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits everyday life and universal values.
The 10 kurals of புறங்கூறாமை
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.
அறங்கூறான் அல்ல செயினும் ஒருவன்
புறங்கூறான் என்றல் இனிது.
Arangooraan Alla Seyinum Oruvan
Purangooraan Endral Inidhu
Though virtuous words his lips speak not, and all his deeds are illIf neighbour he defame not, there's good within him still
அறனழீஇ அல்லவை செய்தலின் தீதே
புறனழீஇப் பொய்த்து நகை.
Aranazheei Allavai Seydhalin Theedhe
Puranazheeip Poiththu Nakai
Than he who virtue scorns, and evil deeds performs, more vile, Is he that slanders friend, then meets him with false smile
புறங்கூறிப் பொய்த்துயிர் வாழ்தலின் சாதல்
அறங்கூற்றும் ஆக்கத் தரும்.
Purangoorip Poiththuyir Vaazhdhalin Saadhal
Arangootrum Aakkath Tharum
'Tis greater gain of virtuous good for man to die, Than live to slander absent friend, and falsely praise when nigh
கண்ணின்று கண்ணறச் சொல்லினும் சொல்லற்க
முன்னின்று பின்நோக்காச் சொல்.
Kannindru Kannarach Chollinum Sollarka
Munnindru Pinnokkaach Chol
In presence though unkindly words you speak, say notIn absence words whose ill result exceeds your thought
அறஞ்சொல்லும் நெஞ்சத்தான் அன்மை புறஞ்சொல்லும்
புன்மையாற் காணப் படும்.
Aranjollum Nenjaththaan Anmai Puranjollum
Punmaiyaar Kaanap Patum
The slanderous meanness that an absent friend defames,'This man in words owns virtue, not in heart,' proclaims
பிறன்பழி கூறுவான் தன்பழி யுள்ளும்
திறன்தெரிந்து கூறப் படும்.
Piranpazhi Kooruvaan Thanpazhi Yullum
Thirandherindhu Koorap Patum
Who on his neighbours' sins delights to dwell, The story of his sins, culled out with care, the world will tell
பகச்சொல்லிக் கேளிர்ப் பிரிப்பர் நகச்சொல்லி
நட்பாடல் தேற்றா தவர்.
Pakachchollik Kelirp Pirippar Nakachcholli
Natpaatal Thetraa Thavar
With friendly art who know not pleasant words to say, Speak words that sever hearts, and drive choice friends away
துன்னியார் குற்றமும் தூற்றும் மரபினார்
என்னைகொல் ஏதிலார் மாட்டு.
Thunniyaar Kutramum Thootrum Marapinaar
Ennaikol Edhilaar Maattu
Whose nature bids them faults of closest friends proclaimWhat mercy will they show to other men's good name
அறன்நோக்கி ஆற்றுங்கொல் வையம் புறன்நோக்கிப்
புன்சொல் உரைப்பான் பொறை.
Arannokki Aatrungol Vaiyam Purannokkip
Punsol Uraippaan Porai
'Tis charity, I ween, that makes the earth sustain their loadWho, neighbours' absence watching, tales or slander tell abroad
ஏதிலார் குற்றம்போல் தங்குற்றங் காண்கிற்பின்
தீதுண்டோ மன்னும் உயிர்க்கு.
Edhilaar Kutrampol Thangutrang Kaankirpin
Theedhunto Mannum Uyirkku
If each his own, as neighbours' faults would scan, Could any evil hap to living man
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