Virtue (அறத்துப்பால்) — Domestic Virtue (இல்லறவியல்) — Not Backbiting (புறங்கூறாமை)

Kural 181:
அறங்கூறான் அல்ல செயினும் ஒருவன்
புறங்கூறான் என்றல் இனிது.
aRangooRaan alla seyinum oruvan
puRangooRaan endral inidhu
English couplet:
Though virtuous words his lips speak not, and all his deeds are ill.
If neighbour he defame not, there's good within him still.
Explanation: 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".

Kural 182:
அறனழீஇ அல்லவை செய்தலின் தீதே
புறனழீஇப் பொய்த்து நகை.
aranazhee-i allavai seydhalin theedhae
puRanazhee-ip poiththu nakai
English couplet:
Than he who virtue scorns, and evil deeds performs, more vile,
Is he that slanders friend, then meets him with false smile.
Explanation: 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.

Kural 183:
புறங்கூறிப் பொய்த்துயிர் வாழ்தலின் சாதல்
அறங்கூற்றும் ஆக்கத் தரும்.
puRangooRip poiththuyir vaazhdhalin saadhal
aRangootrum aakkath tharum
English couplet:
'Tis greater gain of virtuous good for man to die,
Than live to slander absent friend, and falsely praise when nigh.
Explanation: Death rather than life will confer upon the deceitful backbiter the profit which (the treatises on) virtue point out.

Kural 184:
கண்ணின்று கண்ணறச் சொல்லினும் சொல்லற்க
முன்னின்று பின்நோக்காச் சொல்.
kaNNindru kaNNaRach sollinum sollaRka
munnindru pinnoakkaach chol
English couplet:
In presence though unkindly words you speak, say not
In absence words whose ill result exceeds your thought.
Explanation: Though you speak without kindness before another's face speak not in his absence words which regard not the evil subsequently resulting from it.

Kural 185:
அறஞ்சொல்லும் நெஞ்சத்தான் அன்மை புறஞ்சொல்லும்
புன்மையாற் காணப் படும்.
aRanjollum nenjaththaan anmai puRanjollum
punmaiyaaR KaaNap padum
English couplet:
The slanderous meanness that an absent friend defames,
'This man in words owns virtue, not in heart,' proclaims.
Explanation: The emptiness of that man's mind who (merely) praises virtue will be seen from the meanness of reviling another behind his back.

Kural 186:
பிறன்பழி கூறுவான் தன்பழி யுள்ளும்
திறன்தெரிந்து கூறப் படும்.
piRanpazhi kooRuvaan thanpazhi yuLLum
thiRan-dherindhu kooRap padum
English couplet:
Who on his neighbours' sins delights to dwell,
The story of his sins, culled out with care, the world will tell.
Explanation: The character of the faults of that man who publishes abroad the faults of others will be sought out and published

Kural 187:
பகச்சொல்லிக் கேளிர்ப் பிரிப்பர் நகச்சொல்லி
நட்பாடல் தேற்றா தவர்.
pakachchollik kaeLirp pirippar nakachcholli
natpaatal thaetraa thavar
English couplet:
With friendly art who know not pleasant words to say,
Speak words that sever hearts, and drive choice friends away.
Explanation: Those who know not to live in friendship with amusing conversation will by back-biting estrange even their relatives.

Kural 188:
துன்னியார் குற்றமும் தூற்றும் மரபினார்
என்னைகொல் ஏதிலார் மாட்டு.
thunniyaar kutramum thootrum marapinaar
ennaikol Edhilaar maattu
English couplet:
Whose nature bids them faults of closest friends proclaim
What mercy will they show to other men's good name?.
Explanation: What will those not do to strangers whose nature leads them to publish abroad the faults of their intimate friends ?.

Kural 189:
அறன்நோக்கி ஆற்றுங்கொல் வையம் புறன்நோக்கிப்
புன்சொல் உரைப்பான் பொறை.
aRan-noakki aatrungol vaiyam puran-noakkip
punsol uraippaan poRai
English couplet:
'Tis charity, I ween, that makes the earth sustain their load.
Who, neighbours' absence watching, tales or slander tell abroad.
Explanation: The world through charity supports the weight of those who reproach others observing their absence.

Kural 190:
ஏதிலார் குற்றம்போல் தங்குற்றங் காண்கிற்பின்
தீதுண்டோ மன்னும் உயிர்க்கு.
Edhilaar kutrampoal thangutranG kaaNkiRpin
theedhuNtoa mannum uyirkku
English couplet:
If each his own, as neighbours' faults would scan,
Could any evil hap to living man?.
Explanation: If they observed their own faults as they observe the faults of others, would any evil happen to men ?.