Tirukkural Chapter 51 - Couplets 4,5,6 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

-திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 51 - தெரிந்து தெளிதல்
CHAPTER 51 - TO KNOW AND UNDRSTAND
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51/04. குணம்நாடிக் குற்றமும் நாடி அவற்றுள்
மிகைநாடி மிக்க கொளல்.

51/04. Gunamnaadik kutrramum naadi avatrrull
Migainadi mikka kollal.

51/04. It must be thoroughly examined whether one has more good habits
Or more bad habits and finally decide what type of person he is.
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Hemalata: One should not be judged he is good or bad
Until his habits are examined deeply.

Janaki: Face is the index of the mind,
And on the face, it's difficult to find,
Whether he's a good man,
Or by his habits, a bad man.

One's face may be deceptive,
As if looking more receptive,
But deep inside his heart,
There's hidden feeling of hate.

So, before trusting a person
He's what sort of a man,
One must find out secretly,
And then take him officially.
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51/05. பெருமைக்கும் ஏனைச் சிறுமைக்கும் தத்தம்
கருமமே கட்டளைக் கல்.

51/05. Perumaikkum eanaich chirrumaikkum thaththam
Karumame kattallaik kal.

51/05. The deeds one does is the touchstone
To show his greatness or his meanness.
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Hemalata: If someone helps a poor man it shows his greatness
If someone cheats an innocent man it shows his meanness.

Janaki: In the history of the world
Many great men appeared
To guide innocent people,
Who were very simple.

Also there appeared
Many dictators who killed
Millions of innocent people
Who were very simple.

"Fair or foul means
Be a hero, " thus
The proverb goes
To say wise and fools.
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51/06. அற்றாரைத் தேறுதல் ஓம்புக; மற்றவர்
பற்றிலர்; நாணார் பழி.

Atrraraith therrudhal oambuga; matrravar
Patrrilar; naadaar pazhi.

51/06. Don't believe those who have no kith and kin.
They have no attachment to anyone.
They will have no fear for any blame.
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Hemalata: If one has kith and kin, he will know
What is love and affection.

Janaki: True, a man with no kith and kin,
Knows not what's love and affection.
Besides, for him as there is none,
He'll take a right or wrong decision.

A carefree life he leads,
Not caring for others' blames,
And no one can trust him,
As he's careless all the time.

On the other hand, only a man
Who moves with his kith and kin,
With all love and affection
Will always take a fair decision.
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