Thirukkural 1148 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நெய்யால் எரிநுதுப்பேம் என்றற்றால் கெளவையால்
காமம் நுதுப்பேம் எனல்.
Transliteration
Neyyaal Erinudhuppem Endratraal Kelavaiyaal
Kaamam Nudhuppem Enal
Modern English
“Trying to end love through gossip is like trying to put out a fire by pouring ghee on it: the attempt only feeds the flames.”
Modern Interpretation
Trying to end love through gossip is like trying to put out a fire by pouring ghee on it: the attempt only feeds the flames. Public criticism may make two people think about each other even more.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Trying to end love through gossip is like trying to put out a fire by pouring ghee on it: the attempt only feeds the flames.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
To quench the lust by rumour free Is to quench fire by pouring ghee
G.U. Pope Translation
With butter-oil extinguish fire! 'Twill proveHarder by scandal to extinguish love
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
To say that one could extinguish passion by rumour is like extinguishing fire with ghee
Tamil commentary
இந்த ஊரார் தங்கள் அலரால் எங்கள் காதலை அழித்து விடுவோம் என்று எண்ணுவது, நெய்யை ஊற்றியே நெருப்பை அணைப்போம் என்பது போலாம்.
Chapter 115
More from The Announcement of the Rumour
அலர் அறிவுறுத்தல்
Rumour sustains my existence Good luck! many know not its sense
Kural 1142Rumour gives me the flower-like belle People know not what rare angel
Kural 1143I profit by this public rumour Having not, I feel, I have her
Kural 1144Rumour inflames the love I seek Or else it becomes bleak and weak
Kural 1145Drink delights as liquor flows Love delights as rumour grows
Kural 1146One lasting day we met alone Lasting rumours eclipse our moon
Kural 1147Scandal manures; mother's refrain Waters the growth of this love-pain
Kural 1148To quench the lust by rumour free Is to quench fire by pouring ghee
Kural 1149Who said \"fear not\" flared up rumour Why then should I blush this clamour?
Kural 1150Town raising this cry, I desire Consent is easy from my sire