அறத்தைப் பெரிதாகப் பேசும் ஒருவன் மனத்தால் அறவோன் அல்லன் என்பதை அவன் புறம்பேசும் இழிவினைக் கொண்டு கண்டுகொள்ளலாம்.

ஒருவன் பிறரைப்பற்றிப் புறம் பேசுகிற சிறுமைத்தன்மையைக்கொண்டே அவன் அறவழி நிற்பவன் அல்லன் என்பதை எளிதில் தெரிந்து கொள்ளலாம்

அறத்தை நல்லதென்று போற்றும் நெஞ்சம் இல்லாததன்மை, ஒருவன் மற்றவனைப் பற்றிப் புறங்கூறுகின்ற சிறுமையால் காணப்படும்.

The emptiness of that man's mind who (merely) praises virtue will be seen from the meanness of reviling another behind his back

Kural 185 essentially conveys the idea that one's genuineness or sincerity cannot be solely determined by their public praise of virtue or righteousness. It brings to light the importance of character, particularly when one is not in the public eye or when dealing with others in their absence. The verse implies that if a person speaks ill or disparages others behind their backs, it reveals a lack of true virtue in their heart, regardless of how much they publicly laud morality. In other words, the genuine virtue of a person is not just about praising righteousness but also about refraining from negative actions such as backbiting or slander. This Kural teaches us that our actions when unobserved are a more accurate measure of our character than our words in public. It encourages us not only to speak of virtue but to practice it consistently in our dealings with others, whether they are present or absent. This is a timeless message that remains highly relevant in today's world, where it's easy to portray a certain image in public while acting differently in private. The verse advocates for authenticity, integrity, and consistency in one's actions and words, emphasizing that true virtue lies in the harmony between what we preach and what we practice.