Verse 980: Conduct holds reputation together
980. Conduct holds reputation together
கடையாணி நீங்கின் சகடம் சிதறும்நடையாணி நீங்கின் நிலை
kadaiyaani neengin sakadam sidharumnadaiyaani neengin nilai
When the linchpin comes out, the cart falls apart; so does one’s standing, when the pin of conduct comes out.
A linchpin is the small pin that keeps a cart’s wheel on its axle. The Tamil word for ‘conduct’ also means one’s gait.