Thirukkural 283 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
களவினால் ஆகிய ஆக்கம் அளவிறந்து
ஆவது போலக் கெடும்.
Transliteration
Kalavinaal Aakiya Aakkam Alavirandhu
Aavadhu Polak Ketum
Modern English
“Wealth gained by theft may seem to grow at first, but it eventually destroys itself.”
Modern Interpretation
Wealth gained by theft may seem to grow at first, but it eventually destroys itself. Dishonest gain carries fear, loss, and consequences within it. For example, money stolen from a business can lead to dismissal, legal trouble, and the loss of trust that money cannot repair.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Wealth gained by theft may seem to grow at first, but it eventually destroys itself.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The gain by fraud may overflow But swift to ruin it shall go
G.U. Pope Translation
The gain that comes by fraud, although it seems to growWith limitless increase, to ruin swift shall go
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The property, which is acquired by fraud, will entirely perish, even while it seems to increase
Tamil commentary
திருடுவதால் வரும் செல்வம், பெருகுவது போலத் தோன்றி விரைவில் அழியும்.
Chapter 29
More from The Absence of Fraud
கள்ளாமை
Let him who would reproachless be From all frauds guard his conscience free
Kural 282\"We will by fraud win other's wealth\" Even this thought is sin and stealth
Kural 283The gain by fraud may overflow But swift to ruin it shall go
Kural 284The fruit that fraud and greed obtain Shall end in endless grief and pain
Kural 285Love and Grace are not their worth Who watch to waylay dozer's wealth
Kural 286They cannot walk in measured bounds who crave and have covetous ends
Kural 287Men of measured wisdom shun Black art of fraud and what it won
Kural 288Virtue abides in righteous hearts Into minds of frauds deceit darts
Kural 289They perish in their perfidy Who know nothing but pilfery
Kural 290Even the body rejects thieves; The honest men, heaven receives