Virtue (அறத்துப்பால்) — Domestic Virtue (இல்லறவியல்) — The Possession of Decorum (ஒழுக்கமுடைமை)

Kural 131:
ஒழுக்கம் விழுப்பந் தரலான் ஒழுக்கம்
உயிரினும் ஓம்பப் படும்.
ozhukkam vizhuppanh tharalaan ozhukkam
uyirinum Ompap padum
English couplet:
'Decorum' gives especial excellence; with greater care
'Decorum' should men guard than life, which all men share
Explanation: Propriety of conduct leads to eminence, it should therefore be preserved more carefully than life

Kural 132:
பரிந்தோம்பிக் காக்க ஒழுக்கம் தெரிந்தோம்பித்
தேரினும் அஃதே துணை.
parindhompik kaakka ozhukkam therindhoampith
therinum aqdhae thuNai
English couplet:
Searching, duly watching, learning, 'decorum' still we find;
Man's only aid; toiling, guard thou this with watchful mind
Explanation: 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:
ஒழுக்கம் உடைமை குடிமை இழுக்கம்
இழிந்த பிறப்பாய் விடும்.
ozhukkam udaimai kutimai izhukkam
izhindha piRappaai vidum
English couplet:
'Decorum's' true nobility on earth;
'Indecorum's' issue is ignoble birth
Explanation: Propriety of conduct is true greatness of birth, and impropriety will sink into a mean birth

Kural 134:
மறப்பினும் ஓத்துக் கொளலாகும் பார்ப்பான்
பிறப்பொழுக்கங் குன்றக் கெடும்.
maRappinum oththuk koLalaakum paarppaan
piRappozhukkang kundrak kedum
English couplet:
Though he forget, the Brahman may regain his Vedic lore;
Failing in 'decorum due,' birthright's gone for evermore
Explanation: 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:
அழுக்கா றுடையான்கண் ஆக்கம்போன்று இல்லை
ஒழுக்க மிலான்கண் உயர்வு.
azhukkaa RutaiyaankaN aakkampoan Rillai
ozhukka milaan-kaN uyarvu
English couplet:
The envious soul in life no rich increase of blessing gains,
So man of 'due decorum' void no dignity obtains
Explanation: Just as the envious man will be without wealth, so will the man of destitute of propriety of conduct be without greatness

Kural 136:
ஒழுக்கத்தின் ஒல்கார் உரவோர் இழுக்கத்தின்
ஏதம் படுபாக் கறிந்து.
ozhukkaththin olkaar uravoar izhukkaththin
Edham padupaak kaRindhu
English couplet:
The strong of soul no jot abate of 'strict decorum's' laws,
Knowing that 'due decorum's' breach foulest disgrace will cause
Explanation: 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:
ஒழுக்கத்தின் எய்துவர் மேன்மை இழுக்கத்தின்
எய்துவர் எய்தாப் பழி.
ozhukkaththin eydhuvar Maenmai izhukkaththin
eydhuvar eydhaap pazhi
English couplet:
'Tis source of dignity when 'true decorum' is preserved;
Who break 'decorum's' rules endure e'en censures undeserved
Explanation: From propriety of conduct men obtain greatness; from impropriety comes insufferable disgrace

Kural 138:
நன்றிக்கு வித்தாகும் நல்லொழுக்கம் தீயொழுக்கம்
என்றும் இடும்பை தரும்.
nandrikku viththaakum nallozhukkam theeyozhukkam
endrum idumpai tharum
English couplet:
'Decorum true' observed a seed of good will be;
'Decorum's breach' will sorrow yield eternally
Explanation: Propriety of conduct is the seed of virtue; impropriety will ever cause sorrow

Kural 139:
ஒழுக்க முடையவர்க்கு ஒல்லாவே தீய
வழுக்கியும் வாயாற் சொலல்.
ozhukka mutaiyavarkku ollaavae theeya
vazhukkiyum vaayaaR solal
English couplet:
It cannot be that they who 'strict decorum's' law fulfil,
E'en in forgetful mood, should utter words of ill
Explanation: Those who study propriety of conduct will not speak evil, even forgetfully

Kural 140:
உலகத்தோடு ஒட்ட ஒழுகல் பலகற்றும்
கல்லார் அறிவிலா தார்.
ulakaththoadu otta ozhukal palakatrum
kallaar aRivilaa thaar
English couplet:
Who know not with the world in harmony to dwell,
May many things have learned, but nothing well
Explanation: Those who know not how to act agreeably to the world, though they have learnt many things, are still ignorant