Thirukkural 588 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஒற்றொற்றித் தந்த பொருளையும் மற்றுமோர்
ஒற்றினால் ஒற்றிக் கொளல்.
Transliteration
Otrotrith Thandha Porulaiyum Matrumor
Otrinaal Otrik Kolal
Modern English
“Important information should be checked independently before a ruler acts on it.”
Modern Interpretation
Important information should be checked independently before a ruler acts on it. Before reposting a shocking claim, compare it with a reliable second source.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Important information should be checked independently before a ruler acts on it.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The reports given by one spy By another spy verify
G.U. Pope Translation
Spying by spies, the things they tellTo test by other spies is well
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Let not a king receive the information which a spy has discovered and made known to him, until he has examined it by another spy
Tamil commentary
ஓர் ஒற்றர் கொண்டு வந்த செய்தியை இன்னும் ஓர் ஒற்றர் தரும் செய்தியோடு சரி பார்த்துக் கொள்க.
Chapter 59
More from Detectives
ஒற்றாடல்
A king should treat these two as eyes The code of laws and careful spies
Kural 582All that happens, always, to all The king should know in full detail
Kural 583Conquests are not for the monarch Who cares not for the Spy's remark
Kural 584His officers, kinsmen and foes Who watch keenly are worthy spies
Kural 585Fearless gaze, suspectless guise Guarding secrets mark the spies
Kural 586Guised as monks they gather secrets They betray them not under threats
Kural 587A spy draws out other's secrets Beyond a doubt he clears his facts
Kural 588The reports given by one spy By another spy verify
Kural 589Engage the spies alone, apart When three agree confirm report
Kural 590Give not the spy open reward It would divulge the secret heard!