Thirukkural 565 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அருஞ்செவ்வி இன்னா முகத்தான் பெருஞ்செல்வம்
பேஎய்கண் டன்னது உடைத்து.
Transliteration
Arunjevvi Innaa Mukaththaan Perunjelvam
Peeykan Tannadhu Utaiththu
Modern English
“Wealth owned by someone who is impossible to approach and always cold becomes frightening rather than admirable.”
Modern Interpretation
Wealth owned by someone who is impossible to approach and always cold becomes frightening rather than admirable. A rich employer who never meets workers and treats every request with contempt may have money but no goodwill.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Wealth owned by someone who is impossible to approach and always cold becomes frightening rather than admirable.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Whose sight is scarce, whose face is foul His wealth seems watched by a ghoul
G.U. Pope Translation
Whom subjects scarce may see, of harsh forbidding countenance;His ample wealth shall waste, blasted by demon's glance
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The great wealth of him who is difficult of access and possesses a sternness of countenance, is like that which has been obtained by a devil
Tamil commentary
தன்னைக் காண வருவார்க்கு நேரம் தருவதில் இழுத்தடிப்பும், கண்டால் முகக்கடுப்பும் உடையவரின் பெருஞ்செல்வம், பூதத்தால் கைக்கொள்ளப்பட்டது போன்றதாம்.
Chapter 57
More from Absence of Terrorism
வெருவந்த செய்யாமை
A king enquires and gives sentence Just to prevent future offence
Kural 562Wield fast the rod but gently lay This strict mildness prolongs the sway
Kural 563His cruel rod of dreadful deed Brings king's ruin quick indeed
Kural 564As men the king a tyrant call His days dwindled, hasten his fall
Kural 565Whose sight is scarce, whose face is foul His wealth seems watched by a ghoul
Kural 566Whose word is harsh, whose sight is rude His wealth and power quickly fade
Kural 567Reproofs rough and punishments rude Like files conquering power corrode
Kural 568The king who would not take counsels Rages with wrath-his fortune fails
Kural 569The king who builds not fort betimes Fears his foes in wars and dies
Kural 570The crushing burden borne by earth Is tyrants bound to fools uncouth