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

English Translation

“Men of measured wisdom shun Black art of fraud and what it won”

Plain-English meaning

That black-knowledge which is called fraud, is not in those who desire that greatness which is called rectitude

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

That black-knowledge which is called fraud, is not in those who desire that greatness which is called rectitude

உயிர்களை நேசிக்கும் ஆசை கொண்டவரிடம், அடுத்தவர் பொருளைத் திருடும் இருண்ட அறிவு இராது.

Chapter 29

கள்ளாமை

Let him who would reproachless be From all frauds guard his conscience free

\"We will by fraud win other's wealth\" Even this thought is sin and stealth

The gain by fraud may overflow But swift to ruin it shall go

The fruit that fraud and greed obtain Shall end in endless grief and pain

Love and Grace are not their worth Who watch to waylay dozer's wealth

They cannot walk in measured bounds who crave and have covetous ends

Men of measured wisdom shun Black art of fraud and what it won

Virtue abides in righteous hearts Into minds of frauds deceit darts

They perish in their perfidy Who know nothing but pilfery

Even the body rejects thieves; The honest men, heaven receives