Thirukkural 660 in English

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

Tamil original

சலத்தால் பொருள்செய்தே மார்த்தல் பசுமண்
கலத்துள்நீர் பெய்திரீஇ யற்று.

Transliteration

Salaththaal Porulseydhe Maarththal Pasuman
Kalaththulneer Peydhireei Yatru

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

(For a minister) to protect (his king) with wealth obtained by foul means is like preserving a vessel of wet clay by filling it with water

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

In pot of clay unburnt he water pours and would retain,Who seeks by wrong the realm in wealth and safety to maintain

Plain-English Meaning

(For a minister) to protect (his king) with wealth obtained by foul means is like preserving a vessel of wet clay by filling it with water

தீய செயல்களால் பொருளைத் திரட்டி, அதைக் காப்பது, சுடாத பச்சைமண் பானையில் நீரை ஊற்றி அதைச் சேமிப்பது போலாம்.

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