Thirukkural 1090 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

உண்டார்கண் அல்லது அடுநறாக் காமம்போல்
கண்டார் மகிழ்செய்தல் இன்று.

Transliteration

Untaarkan Alladhu Atunaraak Kaamampol
Kantaar Makizhseydhal Indru

English Translation

“To the drunk alone is wine delight Nothing delights like love at sight”

Plain-English meaning

Unlike boiled honey which yields delight only when it is drunk, love gives pleasure even when looked at

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

To the drunk alone is wine delight Nothing delights like love at sight

G.U. Pope Translation

The palm-tree's fragrant wine, To those who taste yields joys divine;But love hath rare felicity For those that only see

Plain-English Meaning

Unlike boiled honey which yields delight only when it is drunk, love gives pleasure even when looked at

காய்ச்சப்பட்ட கள், உண்டவர்க்கே மகிழ்ச்சி தரும்; காதலைப் போல், காண்பவருக்கும் அது மகிழ்ச்சி தருவது இல்லை.

Chapter 109

தகை அணங்குறுத்தல்

Is it an angel? A fair peacock Or jewelled belle? To my mind a shock!

The counter glances of this belle Are armied dart of the Love-Angel

Not known before -I spy Demise In woman's guise with battling eyes

This artless dame has darting eyes That drink the life of men who gaze

Is it death, eye or doe? All three In winsome woman's look I see

If cruel brows unbent, would screen Her eyes won't cause me trembling pain

Vest on the buxom breast of her Looks like rutting tusker's eye-cover

Ah these fair brows shatter my might Feared by foemen yet to meet

Which jewel can add to her beauty With fawn-like looks and modesty?

To the drunk alone is wine delight Nothing delights like love at sight