மயிர்எலாம் இழந்துவிட்டால் உயிர் வாழ முடியாத கவரிமான் (சாமரம்) போன்றவர் தம் குடும்பப் பெருமை எல்லாம் அழிய நேர்ந்தால் உயிர் வாழமாட்டார்.

உடலில் உள்ள உரோமம் நீக்கப்பட்டால் உயிர் வாழாது கவரிமான் என்பார்கள் அதுபோல் மானம் அழிய நேர்ந்தால் உயர்ந்த மனிதர்கள் உயிரையே விட்டு விடுவார்கள்

தன் உடம்பிலிருந்து மயிர் நீங்கினால் உயிர்வாழாத கவரிமானைப் போன்றவர் மானம் அழிய நேர்ந்தால் உயிரை விட்டுவிடுவர்.

Those who give up (their) life when (their) honour is at stake are like the yark which kills itself at the loss of (even one of) its hairs

Kural 969 is a profound verse about honor and dignity. The kural uses the metaphor of a 'kavarimaan' (yark), a particular kind of animal that is known to die if it loses even a single hair from its body. The kural likens the honor of a person to the hair of this animal, implying that just as this creature cannot survive the loss of a single hair, a dignified individual would not wish to live if their honor is compromised. This verse sends a strong message about the importance of honor and pride in one's life. It suggests that for some noble souls, their honor is as vital to them as life itself. Losing honor, for them, is akin to losing their life. They would rather forfeit their life than continuing to live with damaged dignity. This verse also reflects the cultural significance of honor in Tamil society. It emphasizes the extent to which an individual was expected to protect their honor and the lengths they might go to preserve it, even if it meant giving up their life. This powerful metaphor is a testament to the high value placed on personal honor and the social stigma associated with its loss. In essence, this kural underlines that life without honor is not worth living, reinforcing the importance of upholding one's dignity at all costs.