Thirukkural 589 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஒற்றெற் றுணராமை ஆள்க உடன்மூவர்
சொற்றொக்க தேறப் படும்.
Transliteration
Otrer Runaraamai Aalka Utanmoovar
Sotrokka Therap Patum
Modern English
“Reports are more trustworthy when independent investigators reach the same conclusion; they should not simply copy one another.”
Modern Interpretation
Reports are more trustworthy when independent investigators reach the same conclusion; they should not simply copy one another. A school investigating missing funds might ask three people separately and compare their accounts.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
Reports are more trustworthy when independent investigators reach the same conclusion; they should not simply copy one another.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Engage the spies alone, apart When three agree confirm report
G.U. Pope Translation
One spy must not another see: contrive it so;And things by three confirmed as truth you know
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Let a king employ spies so that one may have no knowledge of the other; and when the information of three agrees together, let him receive it
Tamil commentary
ஒற்றரை இயக்கும்போது ஓர் ஒற்றரை இன்னுமோர் ஒற்றர் அறிந்துகொள்ளாதபடி இயக்குக; ஒரு காரியத்திற்கு மூவர் சொல்லும் ஒன்றுபோலவே இருந்தாலும் அதையும் ஆய்ந்து பிறகு ஏற்றுக்கொள்க.
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!