Thirukkural 912 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பயன்தூக்கிப் பண்புரைக்கும் பண்பின் மகளிர்
நயன்தூக்கி நள்ளா விடல்.
Transliteration
Payandhookkip Panpuraikkum Panpin Makalir
Nayandhookki Nallaa Vital
Modern English
“Do not trust affection that appears only after someone measures what you can pay.”
Modern Interpretation
Do not trust affection that appears only after someone measures what you can pay. For example, a person who keeps spending on someone who flatters them for gifts may find the relationship disappears when the money runs out.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Do not trust affection that appears only after someone measures what you can pay.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Avoid ill-natured whores who feign Love only for their selfish gain
G.U. Pope Translation
Who weigh the gain, and utter virtuous words with vicious heart,Weighing such women's worth, from their society depart
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
One must ascertain the character of the ill-natured women who after ascertaining the wealth (of a man) speak (as if they were) good natured-ones, and avoid intercourse (with them)
Tamil commentary
ஒருவனிடம் உள்ள செல்வத்தை அடையும்வரை நல்லவராய்ப் பேசும், பண்பு இல்லாத பாலியல் தொழிலாளரின் ஒழுக்கத்தை நன்கு எண்ணி, அவரைச் சேராது விடுக.
Chapter 92
More from Wanton Women
வரைவின் மகளிர்
For gold, not love their tongue cajoles Men are ruined by bangled belles
Kural 912Avoid ill-natured whores who feign Love only for their selfish gain
Kural 913The false embrace of whores is like That of a damned corpse in the dark
Kural 914The wise who seek the wealth of grace Look not for harlots' low embrace
Kural 915The lofty wise will never covet The open charms of a vile harlot
Kural 916Those who guard their worthy fame Shun the wanton's vaunting charm
Kural 917Hollow hearts alone desire The arms of whores with hearts elsewere
Kural 918Senseless fools are lured away By arms of sirens who lead astray
Kural 919The soft jewelled arms of whores are hell Into which the degraded fall
Kural 920Double-minded whores, wine and dice Are lures of those whom fortune flies