Thirukkural 657 in English

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

Tamil original

பழிமலைந்து எய்திய ஆக்கத்தின் சான்றோர்
கழிநல் குரவே தலை.

Transliteration

Pazhimalaindhu Eydhiya Aakkaththin Saandror
Kazhinal Kurave Thalai

Modern English

“Honest poverty is better than wealth gained by wrongdoing.”

Modern Interpretation

Honest poverty is better than wealth gained by wrongdoing. A young worker is better off earning modestly than getting rich by scamming customers.

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Tamil pronunciation

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Modern Plain English

Honest poverty is better than wealth gained by wrongdoing.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

Pinching poverty of the wise Is more than wealth hoarded by Vice

G.U. Pope Translation

Than store of wealth guilt-laden souls obtain,The sorest poverty of perfect soul is richer gain

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

Far more excellent is the extreme poverty of the wise than wealth obtained by heaping up of sinful

பழியை ஏற்று அடைந்த செல்வத்தைக் காட்டிலும், பெரியோர் அனுபவிக்கும் வறுமையே உயர்ந்தது.

Chapter 66

வினைத் தூய்மை

Friendship brings gain; but action pure Does every good thing we desire

Eschew always acts that do not Bring good nor glory on their part

Those in the world desire for fame Should shun the deed that dims their name

Though perils press the faultless wise Shun deeds of mean, shameful device

Do not wrong act and grieve, \"Alas\" If done, do not repeat it twice

Though she who begot thee hungers Shun acts denounced by ancient seers

Pinching poverty of the wise Is more than wealth hoarded by Vice

Those who dare a forbidden deed Suffer troubles though they succeed

Gains from weeping, weeping go Though lost, from good deeds blessings flow

The wealth gathered in guilty ways Is water poured in wet clay vase