Thirukkural 916 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தந்நலம் பாரிப்பார் தோயார் தகைசெருக்கிப்
புன்னலம் பாரிப்பார் தோள்.
Transliteration
Thannalam Paarippaar Thoyaar Thakaiserukkip
Punnalam Paarippaar Thol
Modern English
“People who protect their good character avoid intimacy sold as a boast or a service to every payer.”
Modern Interpretation
People who protect their good character avoid intimacy sold as a boast or a service to every payer. For example, someone who wants a respected reputation will not trade their values for temporary attention.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People who protect their good character avoid intimacy sold as a boast or a service to every payer.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Those who guard their worthy fame Shun the wanton's vaunting charm
G.U. Pope Translation
From touch of those who worthless charms, with wanton arts, display,The men who would their own true good maintain will turn away
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Those who would spread (the fame of) their own goodness will not desire the shoulders of those,who rejoice in their accomplishments and bestow their despicable favours (on all who pay)
Tamil commentary
தம் திறமையில் செருக்குக் கொண்டு, தம் உடல் அழகைப் பலருக்கும் தந்து பணம் பெற விரும்பும் பாலிய தொழிலாளரின் தோளை, அறிவினால் தம் புகழைப் பரப்ப விரும்பும் பெரியோர் தீண்டமாட்டார்.
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