Thirukkural 147 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அறனியலான் இல்வாழ்வான் என்பான் பிறனியலாள்
பெண்மை நயவா தவன்.
Transliteration
Araniyalaan Ilvaazhvaan Enpaan Piraniyalaal
Penmai Nayavaa Thavan
Modern English
“Someone who builds a genuinely good relationship is, among other things, someone who simply doesn't desire people who are already committed elsewhere.”
Modern Interpretation
Someone who builds a genuinely good relationship is, among other things, someone who simply doesn't desire people who are already committed elsewhere. Respecting that boundary is part of what makes a relationship trustworthy in the first place. For example, a partner who doesn't even entertain the idea of pursuing someone else's partner is demonstrating real relationship integrity.
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Modern Plain English
Someone who builds a genuinely good relationship is, among other things, someone who simply doesn't desire people who are already committed elsewhere.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
He is the righteous householder His neighbour's wife who covets never
G.U. Pope Translation
Who sees the wife, another's own, with no desiring eyeIn sure domestic bliss he dwelleth ever virtuously
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
He who desires not the womanhood of her who should walk according to the will of another will be praised as a virtuous house-holder
Tamil commentary
அடுத்தவனுக்கு உரிமையானவனின் பெண்மையை விரும்பாதவன் அறத்துடன் குடும்பம் நடத்துபவன் எனப்படுவான்
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