Thirukkural 287 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
களவென்னும் காரறி வாண்மை அளவென்னும்
ஆற்றல் புரிந்தார்கண்ட இல்.
Transliteration
Kalavennum Kaarari Vaanmai Alavennum
Aatral Purindhaarkanta Il
Modern English
“The dark cleverness used for theft cannot live in someone who values measured, honorable living.”
Modern Interpretation
The dark cleverness used for theft cannot live in someone who values measured, honorable living. A person who respects limits has no need for deceptive shortcuts. For example, someone who budgets carefully is less likely to manipulate others for money.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
The dark cleverness used for theft cannot live in someone who values measured, honorable living.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Men of measured wisdom shun Black art of fraud and what it won
G.U. Pope Translation
Practice of fraud's dark cunning arts they shun,Who long for power by 'measured wisdom' won
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
That black-knowledge which is called fraud, is not in those who desire that greatness which is called rectitude
Tamil commentary
உயிர்களை நேசிக்கும் ஆசை கொண்டவரிடம், அடுத்தவர் பொருளைத் திருடும் இருண்ட அறிவு இராது.
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