The Kural or the Maxims of Tiruvalluvar/Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
PURITY OF CONDUCT.
131. The man whose conduct is pure is honoured by all : purity of conduct is therefore to be prized even above life.
132. Watch anxiously over thy conduct: for wheresoever thou mayest search thou canst not find a firmer ally than right conduct.
133. Good conduct bespeaketh an honourable family : but low conduct placeth a man amongst the ignoble.
134. Even the Vêdas if forgotten can be learned again : but once fallen from virtuous conduct the Brâhman is fallen from his place for ever.
135. Prosperity is not for the envious : even so dignity is not for men of ill conduct.
136. The firm-minded swerve not from virtuous conduct : for they know the evils brought on by such swerving.
137. The man of right conduct is honoured among men: but ignominy alone is the portion of those who fall therefrom.
138. Good conduct soweth the seed of prosperity : but an evil course is the mother of endless ills.
139. Foul words can never fall from the lips of the well-bred even when off their guard.
140. Fools may be as instructed as thou pleasest : but they never learn to conform to the ways of the Righteous.
