Thirukkural 143 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
விளிந்தாரின் வேறல்லர் மன்ற தெளிந்தாரில்
தீமை புரிந்து ஒழுகு வார்.
Transliteration
Vilindhaarin Verallar Mandra Thelindhaaril
Theemai Purindhu Ozhuku Vaar
Modern English
“Someone who betrays the trust of a person who never suspected them, by going after their partner, is barely different from being dead to that friendship, because the trust that made it meaningful is gone.”
Modern Interpretation
Someone who betrays the trust of a person who never suspected them, by going after their partner, is barely different from being dead to that friendship, because the trust that made it meaningful is gone. For example, secretly pursuing the partner of a friend who fully trusts you erases the friendship the moment it's discovered, even if it never is.
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Modern Plain English
Someone who betrays the trust of a person who never suspected them, by going after their partner, is barely different from being dead to that friendship, because the trust that made it meaningful is gone.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The vile are dead who evil aim And put faithful friends' wives to shame
G.U. Pope Translation
They're numbered with the dead, e'en while they live, -how otherwise?With wife of sure confiding friend who evil things devise
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Certainly they are no better than dead men who desire evil towards the wife of those who
Tamil commentary
தன்னைச் சந்தேகப்படாதவரின் வீட்டிற்குள் நுழைந்து, அடுத்தவரின் மனைவியுடன் தவறான தொடர்பு கொண்டு வாழ்பவன், இறந்து போனவனே அன்றி உயிருடன் வாழ்பவன் அல்லன்
Chapter 15
More from Not coveting another"s Wife
பிறனில் விழையாமை
Who know the wealth and virtue's way After other's wife do not stray
Kural 142He is the worst law breaking boor Who haunts around his neighbour's door
Kural 143The vile are dead who evil aim And put faithful friends' wives to shame
Kural 144Their boasted greatness means nothing When to another's wife they cling
Kural 145Who trifles with another's wife His guilty stain will last for life
Kural 146Hatred, sin, fear, and shame-these four Stain adulterers ever more
Kural 147He is the righteous householder His neighbour's wife who covets never
Kural 148They lead a high-souled manly life The pure who eye not another's wife
Kural 149Good in storm bound earth is with those Who clasp not arms of another's spouse
Kural 150Sinners breaking virtue's behest Lust not for another's wife at least