Thirukkural 590 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
சிறப்பறிய ஒற்றின்கண் செய்யற்க செய்யின்
புறப்படுத்தான் ஆகும் மறை.
Transliteration
Sirappariya Otrinkan Seyyarka Seyyin
Purappatuththaan Aakum Marai
Modern English
“A ruler must reward a spy discreetly, because public praise can expose both the spy and the secret.”
Modern Interpretation
A ruler must reward a spy discreetly, because public praise can expose both the spy and the secret. A student who quietly reports a safety risk should be thanked privately, not identified in front of everyone.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A ruler must reward a spy discreetly, because public praise can expose both the spy and the secret.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Give not the spy open reward It would divulge the secret heard!
G.U. Pope Translation
Reward not trusty spy in others' sight,Or all the mystery will come to light
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Let not a king publicly confer on a spy any marks of his favour; if he does, he will divulge his own secret
Tamil commentary
மறைவாக நிகழ்வனவற்றைஅறிந்து சொல்லும் ஒற்றருக்குப் பரிசு தருக; மறைவாகவே தருக; ஊர் அறியத் தருவது மறைவையும் ஒற்றரையும் தானே வெளிப்படுத்தியது போல் ஆகும்.
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!