Thirukkural 285 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அருள்கருதி அன்புடைய ராதல் பொருள்கருதிப்
பொச்சாப்புப் பார்ப்பார்கண் இல்.
Transliteration
Arulkarudhi Anputaiya Raadhal Porulkarudhip
Pochchaappup Paarppaarkan Il
Modern English
“Someone who watches for another person’s careless moment to steal cannot at the same time claim to be guided by kindness.”
Modern Interpretation
Someone who watches for another person’s careless moment to steal cannot at the same time claim to be guided by kindness. Compassion does not wait for weakness to exploit. For example, taking a roommate’s money while they are distracted reveals what matters more than polite words.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Someone who watches for another person’s careless moment to steal cannot at the same time claim to be guided by kindness.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Love and Grace are not their worth Who watch to waylay dozer's wealth
G.U. Pope Translation
'Grace' is not in their thoughts, nor know they kind affection's power,Who neighbour's goods desire, and watch for his unguarded hour
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The study of kindness and the exercise of benevolence is not with those who watch for another's forgetfulness, though desire of his property
Tamil commentary
அடுத்தவர் பொருளைத் திருட எண்ணி, அவர் தளரும் நேரத்தை எதிர்பார்த்து இருப்போர், அருள் மீது பற்று உள்ளவராய் வாழ முடியாது.
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