Thirukkural 501 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அறம்பொருள் இன்பம் உயிரச்சம் நான்கின்
திறந்தெரிந்து தேறப் படும்.
Transliteration
Aramporul Inpam Uyirachcham Naankin
Thirandherindhu Therap Patum
English Translation
“Pleasure, gold, fear of life Virtue- Test by these four and trust the true”
Plain-English meaning
Let (a minister) be chosen, after he has been tried by means of these four things, viz,-his virtue, (love of) money, (love of) sexual pleasure, and tear of (losing) life
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Tamil pronunciation
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English Translation
Pleasure, gold, fear of life Virtue- Test by these four and trust the true
G.U. Pope Translation
How treats he virtue, wealth and pleasure? How, when life's at stake,Comports himself? This four-fold test of man will full assurance make
Plain-English Meaning
Let (a minister) be chosen, after he has been tried by means of these four things, viz,-his virtue, (love of) money, (love of) sexual pleasure, and tear of (losing) life
Tamil commentary
அறத்தைக் காக்க அரசைக் கவிழ்ப்போம், சம்பள உயர்வு தராத அரசைக் கவிழ்ப்போம், உனக்காகவே வாழும் பெண் இவள் என்பது போல் கூறி அறம், பணம், பெண் என்னும் மூன்று பொய்க் காரணங்களால் சோதிப்பது, அவனது உயிருக்கு ஆபத்தை விளைவிப்பது போல் நடிப்பது என இந்நான்கு சோதனைகளால் ஒருவனின் மன இயல்பை ஆராய்ந்து அவனைப் பதவிக்குத் தேர்வு செய்ய வேண்டும்.
Chapter 51
More from Selection and Confidence
தெரிந்து தெளிதல்
Pleasure, gold, fear of life Virtue- Test by these four and trust the true
Kural 502Spotless name of noble birth Shamed of stain-that choice is worth
Kural 503Though deep scholars of stainless sense Rare is freedom from ignorance
Kural 504Good and evil in man weigh well Judge him by virtues which prevail
Kural 505By the touchstone of deeds is seen If any one is great or mean
Kural 506Choose not those men without kinsmen Without affine or shame of sin
Kural 507On favour leaning fools you choose; Folly in all its forms ensues
Kural 508To trust an untried stranger brings Endless troubles on all our kins
Kural 509Trust not without testing and then Find proper work for trusted men
Kural 510Trust without test; The trusted doubt; Both entail troubles in and out