Thirukkural 284 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
களவின்கண் கன்றிய காதல் விளைவின்கண்
வீயா விழுமம் தரும்.
Transliteration
Kalavinkan Kandriya Kaadhal Vilaivinkan
Veeyaa Vizhumam Tharum
Modern English
“A strong desire to steal brings lasting pain when its consequences arrive.”
Modern Interpretation
A strong desire to steal brings lasting pain when its consequences arrive. The thrill of getting something quickly cannot cancel the damage it causes. For example, taking a phone may seem like an easy win until guilt, fear, and the victim’s loss follow you.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A strong desire to steal brings lasting pain when its consequences arrive.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The fruit that fraud and greed obtain Shall end in endless grief and pain
G.U. Pope Translation
The lust inveterate of fraudful gain,Yields as its fruit undying pain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The eager desire of defrauding others will, when it brings forth its fruit, produce undying sorrow
Tamil commentary
அடுத்தவர் பொருளைத் திருடும் ஆசை, நிறைவேறியபின் அழியாத துன்பத்தைத் தரும்.
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