Tirukkural Chapter 97 - Couplets 1,2,3 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 97 - மானம்
CHAPTER 97 - HONOUR
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97/01. இன்றி அமையாச் சிறப்பின ஆயினும்
குன்ற வருப விடல்.

97/01. Indrri amaiyaach chirrappina aayinum
Kundrra varubha vidal.

97/01. Even though a thing is essentially required for one,
but he must refuse it to keep us his honor
if it comes from an indecent source.
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Hamsa: One must verify the source
Before purchasing anything.

Saroj: A person wants a cycle.
If it's a stolen cycle,
He must leave it,
Without buying it.

Though that cycle comes
For half the original prize,
To keep up his family honor
He must refuse the offer.

Here, honor is more than
What one will gain
From the stolen cycle,
Though it's a small material.
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97/02. சீரினும் சீரல்ல செய்யாரே சீரொடு
பேராண்மை வேண்டு பவர்.

97/02. Seerinum seeralla seiyaare seerodu
Peraannmai venndu bhavar.

97/02. Those people, who stand for honor, for earning wealth,
they'll not do dishonest deeds.
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Hamsa: Honesty is the best policy
For all the honorable people.

Saroj: "When honor is lost better to die, "
This proverb honest people know,
So, they'll keep up their honor,
At any cost, always, in their favor.

They'll never indulge themselves,
At any time, in dishonest deeds,
As it'll tell upon their families' fame,
That has been bestowed on them.

When the family honor is lost,
They go for honor killing act,
As they can't face dishonor,
In their defamed life any more.
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97/03. பெருக்கத்து வேண்டும் பணிதல்; சிறிய
சுருக்கத்து வேண்டும் உயர்வு.

97/03. Perukkaththu vendum panndhal; sirriya
Surukkaththu vendum uyarvu.

97/03. When one is rich, he must be humble with everyone.
When he becomes poor, he must stand erect
and manage the situation.
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Hamsa: When a rich man becomes poor
He must not break down and sit in a corner,
But he must manage the situation.

Saroj: It is what the poet says,
That one must realize
That he was a born rich man
Now he's a poor man.

As a rich man, he was humble,
And bowed before good people,
But as a poor man, he must tackle,
Standing erect before people.

People respect him well
As a rich or poor man still;
Because he's humble forever,
He never lost his honor.
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