உயர்ந்த குணத்தையும் சிறுமைக் குணத்தையும் உரசிக்கண்டு அறிவதற்கு ஏற்றக் கட்டளைக்கல் அவரவர் செய்யும் செயல்களே.

ஒருவர் செய்யும் காரியங்களையே உரைகல்லாகக் கொண்டு, அவர் தரமானவரா அல்லது தரங்கெட்டவரா என்பதைப் புரிந்து கொள்ளலாம்

(மக்களுடைய குணங்களாலாகிய) பெருமைக்கும் (குற்றங்களாலாகிய) சிறுமைக்கும் தேர்ந்தறியும் உரைக் கல்லாக இருப்பவை அவரவருடைய செயல்களே ஆகும்.

A man's deeds are the touchstone of his greatness and littleness

Kural 505 emphasizes the influence and importance of a person's actions in determining their character. It suggests that one's deeds serve as a reliable measure or touchstone for discerning their true nature, be it greatness or littleness. This analogy to a touchstone, a stone used to test the purity of gold or silver, implies that actions, like this testing process, reveal the real value or worth of a person. Just as the quality of precious metals can be determined by their reaction to a touchstone, a person's moral and ethical standards can be ascertained by observing their actions. The verse encourages individuals to pay close attention to their deeds, as they are the most visible and immediate representation of one's character. It points to the idea that actions speak louder than words, and it is through our actions that we are judged, not our intentions or words. The moral interpretation of this verse is that both greatness and littleness are not inherently present in a person, but are outcomes of their actions. Therefore, individuals should be mindful of their actions, as they are the ultimate measure of their character.