Thirukkural 205 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
இலன்என்று தீயவை செய்யற்க செய்யின்
இலனாகும் மற்றும் பெயர்த்து.
Transliteration
Ilan Endru Theeyavai Seyyarka
Seyyin Ilanaakum Matrum Peyarththu
Modern English
“Don't excuse wrongdoing by telling yourself you're desperate or broke, because that path usually leaves you worse off than before.”
Modern Interpretation
Don't excuse wrongdoing by telling yourself you're desperate or broke, because that path usually leaves you worse off than before. Poverty is never solved by adding guilt to it. For example, someone who steals to cover a debt often ends up losing more, money, trust, and options, than they had to begin with.
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Modern Plain English
Don't excuse wrongdoing by telling yourself you're desperate or broke, because that path usually leaves you worse off than before.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Who makes poverty plea for ill Shall reduce himself poorer still
G.U. Pope Translation
Make not thy poverty a plea for ill;Thy evil deeds will make thee poorer still
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Commit not evil, saying, "I am poor": if you do, you will become poorer still
Tamil commentary
தன் ஏழ்மையைப் போக்கப் பிறர்க்குத் தீமை செய்யாதே, செய்தால் மேலும் ஏழை ஆவாய்.
Chapter 21
More from Dread of Evil Deeds
தீவினையச்சம்
Sinners fear not the pride of sin The worthy dread the ill within
Kural 202Since evil begets evil dire Fear ye evil more than fire
Kural 203The wisest of the wise are those Who injure not even their foes
Kural 204His ruin virtue plots who plans The ruin of another man's
Kural 205Who makes poverty plea for ill Shall reduce himself poorer still
Kural 206From wounding others let him refrain Who would from harm himself remain
Kural 207Men may escape other foes and live But sin its deadly blow will give
Kural 208Ruin follows who evil do As shadow follows as they go
Kural 209Let none who loves himself at all Think of evil however small
Kural 210He is secure, know ye, from ills Who slips not right path to do evils