Thirukkural 288 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அளவறிந்தார் நெஞ்சத் தறம்போல நிற்கும்
களவறிந்தார் நெஞ்சில் கரவு.
Transliteration
Alavarindhaar Nenjath Tharampola Nirkum
Kalavarindhaar Nenjil Karavu
Modern English
“Honesty settles in the heart of a fair-minded person, while deceit settles in the heart of someone practiced in theft.”
Modern Interpretation
Honesty settles in the heart of a fair-minded person, while deceit settles in the heart of someone practiced in theft. Repeated choices shape character. For example, a student who regularly cheats becomes secretive, while one who works honestly grows more dependable.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Honesty settles in the heart of a fair-minded person, while deceit settles in the heart of someone practiced in theft.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Virtue abides in righteous hearts Into minds of frauds deceit darts
G.U. Pope Translation
As virtue dwells in heart that 'measured wisdom' gains;Deceit in hearts of fraudful men established reigns
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Deceit dwells in the mind of those who are conversant with fraud, even as virtue in the minds of those who are conversant with rectitude
Tamil commentary
உயிர்களை நேசிக்கும் உள்ளத்துள் அறம் நிலைத்து இருப்பது போல, அடுத்தவர் பொருளைத் திருட எண்ணுபவன் உள்ளத்துள் வஞ்சகம் இருக்கும்.
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