Thirukkural 149 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நலக்குரியார் யாரெனின் நாமநீர் வைப்பின்
பிறர்க்குரியாள் தோள்தோயா தார்.
Transliteration
Nalakkuriyaar Yaarenin Naamaneer Vaippin
Pirarkkuriyaal Tholdhoyaa Thaar
Modern English
“Whatever else someone might hope to gain in life, the people who genuinely earn good things tend to be the ones who never cross the line with someone who's already committed to another.”
Modern Interpretation
Whatever else someone might hope to gain in life, the people who genuinely earn good things tend to be the ones who never cross the line with someone who's already committed to another. For example, people known for respecting others' relationships, rather than testing those boundaries, tend to build the kind of trust that opens doors elsewhere too.
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Modern Plain English
Whatever else someone might hope to gain in life, the people who genuinely earn good things tend to be the ones who never cross the line with someone who's already committed to another.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Good in storm bound earth is with those Who clasp not arms of another's spouse
G.U. Pope Translation
Who 're good indeed, on earth begirt by ocean's gruesome tide?The men who touch not her that is another's bride
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Is it asked, "who are those who shall obtain good in this world surrounded by the terror-producing sea ?" Those who touch not the shoulder of her who belongs to another
Tamil commentary
அச்சந்தரும் கடலால் சூழப்பட்ட இவ்வுலகில் எல்லா நன்மைகளும் அடைவதற்கு உரியவர் எவர் என்றால், அடுத்தவனுக்கு உரியவளின் தோளைச் சேராதவரே
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