Thirukkural 584 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

வினைசெய்வார் தம்சுற்றம் வேண்டாதார் என்றாங்கு
அனைவரையும் ஆராய்வது ஒற்று.

Transliteration

Vinaiseyvaar Thamsutram Ventaadhaar Endraangu
Anaivaraiyum Aaraaivadhu Otru

English Translation

“His officers, kinsmen and foes Who watch keenly are worthy spies”

Plain-English meaning

He is a spy who watches all men, to wit, those who are in the king's employment, his relatives, and his enemies

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

His officers, kinsmen and foes Who watch keenly are worthy spies

G.U. Pope Translation

His officers, his friends, his enemies,All these who watch are trusty spies

Plain-English Meaning

He is a spy who watches all men, to wit, those who are in the king's employment, his relatives, and his enemies

அரசுப் பணியாளர், ஆளும் கட்சி, அதன் எதிர்கட்சியினர், அயலவர் என்று அனைவரின் சொல், செயல் கொண்டு அவர்தம் மனக்கருத்தை அறிபவரே ஒற்றர்.

Chapter 59

ஒற்றாடல்

A king should treat these two as eyes The code of laws and careful spies

All that happens, always, to all The king should know in full detail

Conquests are not for the monarch Who cares not for the Spy's remark

His officers, kinsmen and foes Who watch keenly are worthy spies

Fearless gaze, suspectless guise Guarding secrets mark the spies

Guised as monks they gather secrets They betray them not under threats

A spy draws out other's secrets Beyond a doubt he clears his facts

The reports given by one spy By another spy verify

Engage the spies alone, apart When three agree confirm report

Give not the spy open reward It would divulge the secret heard!