Thirukkural 274 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தவமறைந்து அல்லவை செய்தல் புதல்மறைந்து
வேட்டுவன் புள்சிமிழ்த் தற்று.
Transliteration
Thavamaraindhu Allavai Seydhal Pudhalmaraindhu
Vettuvan Pulsimizhth Thatru
Modern English
“Using an ascetic appearance to commit wrongdoing is like a hunter hiding in a bush to trap birds.”
Modern Interpretation
Using an ascetic appearance to commit wrongdoing is like a hunter hiding in a bush to trap birds. A respected role becomes especially harmful when it is used to ambush trust. For example, someone who poses as a helpful adviser only to exploit people is using a disguise as a trap.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Using an ascetic appearance to commit wrongdoing is like a hunter hiding in a bush to trap birds.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Sinning in saintly show is like Fowlers in ambush birds to strike
G.U. Pope Translation
'Tis as a fowler, silly birds to snare, in thicket lurksWhen, clad in stern ascetic garb, one secret evil works
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
He who hides himself under the mask of an ascetic and commits sins, like a sportsman who conceals himself in the thicket to catch birds
Tamil commentary
மேலான நிலையில் இருந்தும் கீழான செயல்களைச் செய்வது, வேட்டை ஆடுபவர் புதருக்குப் பின் மறைந்து நின்று பறவைகளைப் பிடிப்பது போலாம்.
Chapter 28
More from Imposture
கூடா ஒழுக்கம்
Elements five of feigned life Of a sly hypocrite within laugh
Kural 272Of what avail are sky-high shows When guild the conscience gnaws and knows
Kural 273Vaunting sainthood while week within Seems a grazer with tiger skin
Kural 274Sinning in saintly show is like Fowlers in ambush birds to strike
Kural 275Who false within but freedom feign Shall moan \"What have we done\" with pain
Kural 276Vilest is he who seems a saint Cheating the world without restraint
Kural 277Berry-red is his outward view, Black like its nose his inward hue
Kural 278Filthy in mind some bathe in streams Hiding sins in showy extremes
Kural 279Know men by acts and not by forms Strait arrow kills, bent lute but charms
Kural 280No balding nor tangling the hair! Abstain from condemned acts with care