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

English Translation

“To quench the lust by rumour free Is to quench fire by pouring ghee”

Plain-English meaning

To say that one could extinguish passion by rumour is like extinguishing fire with ghee

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

To say that one could extinguish passion by rumour is like extinguishing fire with ghee

இந்த ஊரார் தங்கள் அலரால் எங்கள் காதலை அழித்து விடுவோம் என்று எண்ணுவது, நெய்யை ஊற்றியே நெருப்பை அணைப்போம் என்பது போலாம்.

Chapter 115

அலர் அறிவுறுத்தல்

Rumour sustains my existence Good luck! many know not its sense

Rumour gives me the flower-like belle People know not what rare angel

I profit by this public rumour Having not, I feel, I have her

Rumour inflames the love I seek Or else it becomes bleak and weak

Drink delights as liquor flows Love delights as rumour grows

One lasting day we met alone Lasting rumours eclipse our moon

Scandal manures; mother's refrain Waters the growth of this love-pain

To quench the lust by rumour free Is to quench fire by pouring ghee

Who said \"fear not\" flared up rumour Why then should I blush this clamour?

Town raising this cry, I desire Consent is easy from my sire