Virtue (அறத்துப்பால்) / Ascetic Virtue
Chapter 28
கூடா ஒழுக்கம்
Imposture
Kootaavozhukkam. Malay: Kepura-puraan. Kurals 271 to 280.
When someone pretends to be good; hypocrisy.
How to say it
Vanja Manaththaan Patitrozhukkam PoodhangalAindhum Akaththe Nakum
Meaning in plain English
The five elements (of his body) will laugh within him at the feigned conduct of the deceitful minded man
Poetic translation
Who with deceitful mind in false way walks of covert sin, The five-fold elements his frame compose, decide within
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Vaanuyar Thotram Evanseyyum ThannenjamThaanari Kutrap Patin
Meaning in plain English
What avails an appearance (of sanctity) high as heaven, if his mind suffers (the indulgence) of conscious sin
Poetic translation
What gain, though virtue's semblance high as heaven his fame exalt, If heart dies down through sense of self-detected fault
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Valiyil Nilaimaiyaan Valluruvam PetramPuliyindhol Porththumeyn Thatru
Meaning in plain English
The assumed appearance of power, by a man who has no power (to restrain his senses and perform austerity), is like a cow feeding on grass covered with a tiger's skin
Poetic translation
As if a steer should graze wrapped round with tiger's skin, Is show of virtuous might when weakness lurks within
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Thavamaraindhu Allavai Seydhal PudhalmaraindhuVettuvan Pulsimizhth Thatru
Meaning in plain English
He who hides himself under the mask of an ascetic and commits sins, like a sportsman who conceals himself in the thicket to catch birds
Poetic translation
'Tis as a fowler, silly birds to snare, in thicket lurksWhen, clad in stern ascetic garb, one secret evil works
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Patratrem Enpaar Patitrozhukkam EtretrendruEdham Palavun Tharum
Meaning in plain English
The false conduct of those who say they have renounced all desire will one day bring them sorrows that will make them cry out, "Oh! what have we done, what have we done."
Poetic translation
'Our souls are free,' who say, yet practise evil secretly,'What folly have we wrought!' by many shames o'er-whelmed, shall cry
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Nenjin Thuravaar Thurandhaarpol VanjiththuVaazhvaarin Vankanaar Il
Meaning in plain English
Amongst living men there are none so hard-hearted as those who without to saking (desire) in their heart, falsely take the appearance of those who have forsaken (it)
Poetic translation
In mind renouncing nought, in speech renouncing every tie, Who guileful live,- no men are found than these of 'harder eye'
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Purangundri Kantanaiya Renum AkangundriMukkir Kariyaar Utaiththu
Meaning in plain English
(The world) contains persons whose outside appears (as fair) as the (red) berry of the Abrus, but whose inside is as black as the nose of that berry
Poetic translation
Outward, they shine as 'kunri' berry's scarlet bright; Inward, like tip of 'kunri' bead, as black as night
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Manaththadhu Maasaaka Maantaar NeeraatiMaraindhozhuku Maandhar Palar
Meaning in plain English
There are many men of masked conduct, who perform their ablutions, and (make a show) of
Poetic translation
Many wash in hollowed waters, living lives of hidden shame; Foul in heart, yet high upraised of men in virtuous fame
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Kanaikotidhu Yaazhkotu Sevvidhuaang KannaVinaipatu Paalaal Kolal
Meaning in plain English
As, in its use, the arrow is crooked, and the curved lute is straight, so by their deeds, (and not by their appearance) let (the uprightness or crookedness of) men be estimated
Poetic translation
Cruel is the arrow straight, the crooked lute is sweet, Judge by their deeds the many forms of men you meet
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Mazhiththalum Neettalum Ventaa UlakamPazhiththadhu Ozhiththu Vitin
Meaning in plain English
There is no need of a shaven crown, nor of tangled hair, if a man abstain from those deeds which the wise have condemned
Poetic translation
What's the worth of shaven head or tresses long, If you shun what all the world condemns as wrong
G. U. Pope, 1886