Thirukkural 919 in English

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

Tamil original

வரைவிலா மாணிழையார் மென்தோள் புரையிலாப்
பூரியர்கள் ஆழும் அளறு.

Transliteration

Varaivilaa Maanizhaiyaar Mendhol Puraiyilaap
Pooriyarkal Aazhum Alaru

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

The delicate shoulders of prostitutes with excellent jewels are a hell into which are plunged the ignorant base

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

The wanton's tender arm, with gleaming jewels decked,Is hell, where sink degraded souls of men abject

Plain-English Meaning

The delicate shoulders of prostitutes with excellent jewels are a hell into which are plunged the ignorant base

வேறுபாடு கருதாது பொருள் தருவார் எவரையும் தழுவும் பாலியல் தொழிலாளரின் மெல்லிய தோள்கள், அறிவற்ற கீழ்மக்கள் புகுந்து மூழ்கும் நரகம் ஆகும்.

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