பழிபாவங்களுக்கு அஞ்சி, நானும் பெரியோர், தினை என மிகச்சிறிய அளவே குற்றம் வந்தாலும், அதனைப் பனை என மிகப்பெரிய அளவாகக் கொள்வர்.

பழிக்கு நாணுகின்றவர்கள், தினையளவு குற்றத்தையும் பனையளவாகக் கருதி, அதைச் செய்யாமல், தங்களைக் காத்துக் கொள்வார்கள்

பழி நாணுகின்ற பெருமக்கள் தினையளவாகிய சிறு குற்றம் நேர்ந்தாலும் அதை பனையளவாகக் கருதிக் (குற்றம் செய்யாமல்) காத்துக் கொள்வர்.

Those who fear guilt, if they commit a fault small as a millet seed, will consider it to be as large as a palmyra tree

This Thiru Kural verse speaks about the consciousness and guilt that virtuous people experience even when they commit the smallest mistake. The comparison here is between a millet seed and a palmyra tree, which represent small and big respectively in Tamil culture. This metaphor is used to emphasize how those who are righteous perceive their mistakes. The verse signifies that those who have a high moral standard and fear wrongdoing, even if they commit a minor fault as small as a millet seed, they consider it as significant as a palmyra tree. They are not dismissive of their errors, no matter how small they may be. Instead, they acknowledge, learn, and strive not to repeat them. Therefore, this verse teaches us the importance of self-awareness, self-correction, and the courage to admit one's faults. It encourages us to hold ourselves accountable for our actions, regardless of the size of our mistakes, demonstrating an essential aspect of character and morality.