World Colleges Information

Chapter. 14. The Possession of Decorum
Kural-131
'Decorum' gives especial excellence; with greater care
'Decorum' should men guard than life, which all men share.
Meaning : Propriety of conduct leads to eminence, it should therefore be preserved more carefully than life.
Kural-132
Searching, duly watching, learning, 'decorum' still we find;
Man's only aid; toiling, guard thou this with watchful mind.
Meaning : Let propriety of conduct be laboriously preserved and guarded; though one know and practise and excel in many virtues, that will be an eminent aid.
Kural-133
'Decorum's' true nobility on earth;
'Indecorum's' issue is ignoble birth.
Meaning : Propriety of conduct is true greatness of birth, and impropriety will sink into a mean birth.
Kural-134
Though he forget, the Brahman may regain his Vedic lore;
Failing in 'decorum due,' birthright's gone for evermore.
Meaning : A Brahman though he should forget the Vedas may recover it by reading; but, if he fail in propriety of conduct even his high birth will be destroyed.
Kural-135
The envious soul in life no rich increase of blessing gains,
So man of 'due decorum' void no dignity obtains.
Meaning : Just as the envious man will be without wealth, so will the man of destitute of propriety of conduct be without greatness.
Kural-136
The strong of soul no jot abate of 'strict decorum's' laws,
Knowing that 'due decorum's' breach foulest disgrace will cause.
Meaning : Those firm in mind will not slacken in their observance of the proprieties of life, knowing, as they do, the misery that flows from the transgression from them.
Kural-137
'Tis source of dignity when 'true decorum' is preserved;
Who break 'decorum's' rules endure e'en censures undeserved.
Meaning : From propriety of conduct men obtain greatness; from impropriety comes insufferable disgrace.
Kural-138
'Decorum true' observed a seed of good will be;
'Decorum's breach' will sorrow yield eternally.
Meaning : Propriety of conduct is the seed of virtue; impropriety will ever cause sorrow.
Kural-139
It cannot be that they who 'strict decorum's' law fulfil,
E'en in forgetful mood, should utter words of ill.
Meaning : Those who study propriety of conduct will not speak evil, even forgetfully.
Kural-140
Who know not with the world in harmony to dwell,
May many things have learned, but nothing well.
Meaning : Those who know not how to act agreeably to the world, though they have learnt many things, are still ignorant.