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

English Translation

“Sinning in saintly show is like Fowlers in ambush birds to strike”

Plain-English meaning

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

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

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

மேலான நிலையில் இருந்தும் கீழான செயல்களைச் செய்வது, வேட்டை ஆடுபவர் புதருக்குப் பின் மறைந்து நின்று பறவைகளைப் பிடிப்பது போலாம்.

Chapter 28

கூடா ஒழுக்கம்

Elements five of feigned life Of a sly hypocrite within laugh

Of what avail are sky-high shows When guild the conscience gnaws and knows

Vaunting sainthood while week within Seems a grazer with tiger skin

Sinning in saintly show is like Fowlers in ambush birds to strike

Who false within but freedom feign Shall moan \"What have we done\" with pain

Vilest is he who seems a saint Cheating the world without restraint

Berry-red is his outward view, Black like its nose his inward hue

Filthy in mind some bathe in streams Hiding sins in showy extremes

Know men by acts and not by forms Strait arrow kills, bent lute but charms

No balding nor tangling the hair! Abstain from condemned acts with care