Thirukkural 832 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பேதைமையுள் எல்லாம் பேதைமை காதன்மை
கையல்ல தன்கட் செயல்.
Transliteration
Pedhaimaiyul Ellaam Pedhaimai Kaadhanmai
Kaiyalla Thankat Seyal
Modern English
“The greatest foolishness is taking pleasure in doing what is wrong or not suited to you.”
Modern Interpretation
The greatest foolishness is taking pleasure in doing what is wrong or not suited to you. Someone who chases online attention by humiliating another person may enjoy the moment and regret the damage later.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
The greatest foolishness is taking pleasure in doing what is wrong or not suited to you.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Folly of follies is to lead A lewd and lawless life so bad
G.U. Pope Translation
'Mid follies chiefest folly is to fix your loveOn deeds which to your station unbefitting prove
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The greatest folly is that which leads one to take delight in doing what is forbidden
Tamil commentary
அறியாமையுள் எல்லாம் அறியாமை என்பது, ஒருவன் தனக்கு நன்மை தராதவை மேல் எல்லாம், விருப்பம் கொள்வதே ஆகும்.
Chapter 84
More from Folly
பேதைமை
This is folly's prominent vein To favour loss and forego gain
Kural 832Folly of follies is to lead A lewd and lawless life so bad
Kural 833Shameless, aimless, callous, listless Such are the marks of foolishness
Kural 834No fool equals the fool who learns Knows, teaches, but self-control spurns
Kural 835The fool suffers seven fold hells In single birth of hellish ills
Kural 836A know-nothing fool daring a deed Not only fails but feels fettered
Kural 837Strangers feast and kinsmen fast When fools mishandle fortunes vast
Kural 838Fools possessing something on hand Like dazed and drunken stupids stand
Kural 839Friendship with fools is highly sweet For without a groan we part
Kural 840Entrance of fools where Savants meet Looks like couch trod by unclean feet