Thirukkural 144 in English

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

Tamil original

எனைத்துணையர் ஆயினும் என்னாம் தினைத்துணையும்
தேரான் பிறனில் புகல்.

Transliteration

Enaiththunaiyar Aayinum Ennaam Thinaiththunaiyum
Theraan Piranil Pukal

English Translation

“Their boasted greatness means nothing When to another's wife they cling”

Plain-English meaning

However great one may be, what does it avail if, without at all considering his guilt, he goes unto the wife of another ?

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Their boasted greatness means nothing When to another's wife they cling

G.U. Pope Translation

How great soe'er they be, what gain have they of life,Who, not a whit reflecting, seek a neighbour's wife

Plain-English Meaning

However great one may be, what does it avail if, without at all considering his guilt, he goes unto the wife of another ?

அடுத்தவன் மனைவியை விரும்பித் தன் பிழையைச் சிறிதும் எணணாமல் அவ்வீட்டில் நுழைபவன் எத்தனைப் பெருமை உடையவனாய் இருந்துதான் என்ன?

Chapter 15

பிறனில் விழையாமை

Who know the wealth and virtue's way After other's wife do not stray

He is the worst law breaking boor Who haunts around his neighbour's door

The vile are dead who evil aim And put faithful friends' wives to shame

Their boasted greatness means nothing When to another's wife they cling

Who trifles with another's wife His guilty stain will last for life

Hatred, sin, fear, and shame-these four Stain adulterers ever more

He is the righteous householder His neighbour's wife who covets never

They lead a high-souled manly life The pure who eye not another's wife

Good in storm bound earth is with those Who clasp not arms of another's spouse

Sinners breaking virtue's behest Lust not for another's wife at least