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
Modern English
“Trying to protect wealth gained through deceit is like storing water in an unfired clay pot: it cannot hold.”
Modern Interpretation
Trying to protect wealth gained through deceit is like storing water in an unfired clay pot: it cannot hold. A dishonest deal may look secure, but it can collapse as soon as people uncover it.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Trying to protect wealth gained through deceit is like storing water in an unfired clay pot: it cannot hold.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
(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
Tamil commentary
தீய செயல்களால் பொருளைத் திரட்டி, அதைக் காப்பது, சுடாத பச்சைமண் பானையில் நீரை ஊற்றி அதைச் சேமிப்பது போலாம்.
Chapter 66
More from Purity in Action
வினைத் தூய்மை
Friendship brings gain; but action pure Does every good thing we desire
Kural 652Eschew always acts that do not Bring good nor glory on their part
Kural 653Those in the world desire for fame Should shun the deed that dims their name
Kural 654Though perils press the faultless wise Shun deeds of mean, shameful device
Kural 655Do not wrong act and grieve, \"Alas\" If done, do not repeat it twice
Kural 656Though she who begot thee hungers Shun acts denounced by ancient seers
Kural 657Pinching poverty of the wise Is more than wealth hoarded by Vice
Kural 658Those who dare a forbidden deed Suffer troubles though they succeed
Kural 659Gains from weeping, weeping go Though lost, from good deeds blessings flow
Kural 660The wealth gathered in guilty ways Is water poured in wet clay vase