Thiruvalluvar's Couplets On 'Not Backbiting' Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

1. Though his words aren’t virtuous and deeds ill, it will be good
if his neighbours speak of him as not slandering.
2. It’s a greater evil to backstab
than spoiling the virtue and doing vice.
3. Dying brings more laurels to a backbiter than living
to extol a friend before and revile behind.
4. Though you speak harsh words about your friend in his presence
don’t be abusive in his absence.
5. One’s vicious mind can be seen
from the meanness of reviling a friend at his back.
6. Mudslinging on someone in his absence
will be paid back with wild invectives.
7. Those who don’t enhance the friendship with pleasant words
will riven even their kin with bitchy remarks.
8. If they’re of the bevy to make public the faults of their kin
what will they do to their foes?
9. The earth through charity bears the burden
of those reproaching others in their absence.
10.If you observe the faults of others as your own
could be then any evil to living beings?