இகழுபவர் பின்னே சென்று அவர் தரும் பொருளை, பதவியைப் பெற்று உயிர்வாழ்வதைக் காட்டிலும் அவன் இறந்துபோனான் என்று சொல்லப்படுவது அவனுக்கு நல்லதாம்.

தன்னை மதிக்காதவரின் பின்னால் சென்று உயிர் வாழ்வதைவிடச் செத்தொழிவது எவ்வளவோ மேல்

மதியாதவரின் பின் சென்று ஒருவன் உயிர்வாழ்வதை விட, அவ்வாறு செய்யாத நிலையில் நின்று அழிந்தான் என்று சொல்லப்படுதல் நல்லது.

It is better for a man to be said of him that he died in his usual state than that he eked out his life by following those who disgraced him

Kural 967 addresses the importance of personal dignity and self-respect. It asserts that it's preferable to die maintaining one's integrity than to live in disgrace by submitting to those who belittle or disrespect you. The verse emphasizes that one's honor and self-worth should never be compromised for the sake of mere survival. Living under the shadow of someone who disrespects or demeans you is seen as a life of humiliation and degradation. Such a life, according to this Kural, is worse than death. This point of view upholds the value of personal dignity and self-respect over the mere physical existence. This Kural encourages people to live life on their own terms, with integrity and honor, rather than compromising their values for the sake of survival. It is a strong statement on the value of personal dignity and the importance of not losing one's self-respect, even in the face of adversity or hardship. It reflects the Tamil cultural emphasis on personal honor and societal standing. In essence, the Kural suggests that it is better to die with honor than live in dishonor. It implies that the worth of a life is measured not by its length but by the dignity and respect with which it is lived.