Thirukkural 913 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பொருட்பெண்டிர் பொய்ம்மை முயக்கம் இருட்டறையில்
ஏதல் பிணந்தழீஇ அற்று.
Transliteration
Porutpentir Poimmai Muyakkam Iruttaraiyil
Edhil Pinandhazheei Atru
Modern English
“An embrace offered only for money is empty, like holding a stranger’s corpse in the dark.”
Modern Interpretation
An embrace offered only for money is empty, like holding a stranger’s corpse in the dark. For example, a person may feel deeply lonely after paying for attention that was never sincere.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
An embrace offered only for money is empty, like holding a stranger’s corpse in the dark.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The false embrace of whores is like That of a damned corpse in the dark
G.U. Pope Translation
As one in darkened room, some stranger corpse inarms,Is he who seeks delight in mercenary women's charms
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The false embraces of wealth-loving women are like (hired men) embracing a strange corpse in a dark room
Tamil commentary
பொருளையே விரும்பும் பாலியல் தொழிலாளரின் போலித் தழுவல், இருட்டு அறையில் முன்பு அழியாத பிணத்தைத் தழுவுவது போலாம்.
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