Virtue (அறத்துப்பால்) Domestic Virtue
When tempted to gossip or speak ill behind someone's back.
Arangooraan Alla Seyinum OruvanPurangooraan Endral Inidhu
Though one do not even speak of virtue and live in sin, it will be well if it be said of him "he does not backbite."
Though virtuous words his lips speak not, and all his deeds are illIf neighbour he defame not, there's good within him still
G. U. Pope, 1886
Aranazheei Allavai Seydhalin TheedhePuranazheeip Poiththu Nakai
To smile deceitfully (in another's presence) after having reviled him to his destruction (behind his back) is a greater evil than the commission of (every other) sin and the destruction of (every) virtue
Than he who virtue scorns, and evil deeds performs, more vile, Is he that slanders friend, then meets him with false smile
G. U. Pope, 1886
Purangoorip Poiththuyir Vaazhdhalin SaadhalArangootrum Aakkath Tharum
Death rather than life will confer upon the deceitful backbiter the profit which (the treatises on) virtue point out
'Tis greater gain of virtuous good for man to die, Than live to slander absent friend, and falsely praise when nigh
G. U. Pope, 1886
Kannindru Kannarach Chollinum SollarkaMunnindru Pinnokkaach Chol
Though you speak without kindness before another's face speak not in his absence words which regard not the evil subsequently resulting from it
In presence though unkindly words you speak, say notIn absence words whose ill result exceeds your thought
G. U. Pope, 1886
Aranjollum Nenjaththaan Anmai PuranjollumPunmaiyaar Kaanap Patum
The emptiness of that man's mind who (merely) praises virtue will be seen from the meanness of reviling another behind his back
The slanderous meanness that an absent friend defames,'This man in words owns virtue, not in heart,' proclaims
G. U. Pope, 1886
Piranpazhi Kooruvaan Thanpazhi YullumThirandherindhu Koorap Patum
The character of the faults of that man who publishes abroad the faults of others will be sought out and published
Who on his neighbours' sins delights to dwell, The story of his sins, culled out with care, the world will tell
G. U. Pope, 1886
Pakachchollik Kelirp Pirippar NakachcholliNatpaatal Thetraa Thavar
Those who know not to live in friendship with amusing conversation will by back-biting estrange even their relatives
With friendly art who know not pleasant words to say, Speak words that sever hearts, and drive choice friends away
G. U. Pope, 1886
Thunniyaar Kutramum Thootrum MarapinaarEnnaikol Edhilaar Maattu
What will those not do to strangers whose nature leads them to publish abroad the faults of their intimate friends ?
Whose nature bids them faults of closest friends proclaimWhat mercy will they show to other men's good name
G. U. Pope, 1886
Arannokki Aatrungol Vaiyam PurannokkipPunsol Uraippaan Porai
The world through charity supports the weight of those who reproach others observing their absence
'Tis charity, I ween, that makes the earth sustain their loadWho, neighbours' absence watching, tales or slander tell abroad
G. U. Pope, 1886
Edhilaar Kutrampol Thangutrang KaankirpinTheedhunto Mannum Uyirkku
If they observed their own faults as they observe the faults of others, would any evil happen to men ?
If each his own, as neighbours' faults would scan, Could any evil hap to living man
G. U. Pope, 1886
