Thirukkural 917 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

நிறைநெஞ்சம் இல்லவர் தோய்வார் பிறநெஞ்சிற்
பேணிப் புணர்பவர் தோள்.

Transliteration

Nirainenjam Illavar Thoivaar Piranenjir
Penip Punarpavar Thol

English Translation

“Hollow hearts alone desire The arms of whores with hearts elsewere”

Plain-English meaning

Those who are destitute of a perfectly (reformed) mind will covet the shoulders of those who embrace (them) while their hearts covet other things

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Hollow hearts alone desire The arms of whores with hearts elsewere

G.U. Pope Translation

Who cherish alien thoughts while folding in their feigned embrace,These none approach save those devoid of virtue's grace

Plain-English Meaning

Those who are destitute of a perfectly (reformed) mind will covet the shoulders of those who embrace (them) while their hearts covet other things

பிறவற்றைப் பெறும் பொருட்டு மன ஆசை கொண்டு, அதற்காகவே உடம்பால் புணரும் பாலியல் தொழிலாளரின் தோளை மன அடக்கம் இல்லாதவரே தீண்டுவர்.

Chapter 92

வரைவின் மகளிர்

For gold, not love their tongue cajoles Men are ruined by bangled belles

Avoid ill-natured whores who feign Love only for their selfish gain

The false embrace of whores is like That of a damned corpse in the dark

The wise who seek the wealth of grace Look not for harlots' low embrace

The lofty wise will never covet The open charms of a vile harlot

Those who guard their worthy fame Shun the wanton's vaunting charm

Hollow hearts alone desire The arms of whores with hearts elsewere

Senseless fools are lured away By arms of sirens who lead astray

The soft jewelled arms of whores are hell Into which the degraded fall

Double-minded whores, wine and dice Are lures of those whom fortune flies