Thirukkural 923 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஈன்றாள் முகத்தேயும் இன்னாதால் என்மற்றுச்
சான்றோர் முகத்துக் களி.
Transliteration
Eendraal Mukaththeyum Innaadhaal Enmatruch
Chaandror Mukaththuk Kali
Modern English
“If drunkenness is painful for a mother to witness, it will be even more shameful before wise and honorable people.”
Modern Interpretation
If drunkenness is painful for a mother to witness, it will be even more shameful before wise and honorable people. For example, if a parent cannot bear to see their child intoxicated, that child should understand how the behavior affects mentors and family.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
If drunkenness is painful for a mother to witness, it will be even more shameful before wise and honorable people.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The drunkard's joy pains ev'n mother's face How vile must it look for the wise?
G.U. Pope Translation
The drunkard's joy is sorrow to his mother's eyes;What must it be in presence of the truly wise
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Intoxication is painful even in the presence of (one's) mother; what will it not then be in that of the wise ?
Tamil commentary
போதைப் பொருளைப் பயன்படுத்துவது தாய் முன்பே கொடுமை; நிலைமை இப்படி இருக்கச் சான்றோர் முன்பு எப்படி மகிழ்ச்சியாகும்?
Chapter 93
More from Not Drinking Palm-Wine
கள்ளுண்ணாமை
Foes fear not who for toddy craze The addicts daily their glory lose
Kural 922Drink not liquor; but let them drink Whom with esteem the wise won't think
Kural 923The drunkard's joy pains ev'n mother's face How vile must it look for the wise?
Kural 924Good shame turns back from him ashamed Who is guilty of wine condemned
Kural 925To pay and drink and lose the sense Is nothing but rank ignorance
Kural 926They take poison who take toddy And doze ev'n like a dead body
Kural 927The secret drunkards' senses off Make the prying public laugh
Kural 928Don't say I'm not a drunkard hard The hidden fraud is known abroad
Kural 929Can torch search one in water sunk? Can reason reach the raving drunk?
Kural 930The sober seeing the drunkard's plight On selves can't they feel same effect?