Thirukkural 928 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
களித்தறியேன் என்பது கைவிடுக நெஞ்சத்து
ஒளித்ததூஉம் ஆங்கே மிகும்.
Transliteration
Kaliththariyen Enpadhu Kaivituka Nenjaththu
Oliththadhooum Aange Mikum
Modern English
“A drunkard should not claim never to drink, because intoxication can reveal what they tried to hide.”
Modern Interpretation
A drunkard should not claim never to drink, because intoxication can reveal what they tried to hide. For example, someone who denies drinking may confess or behave recklessly once they lose control.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A drunkard should not claim never to drink, because intoxication can reveal what they tried to hide.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Don't say I'm not a drunkard hard The hidden fraud is known abroad
G.U. Pope Translation
No more in secret drink, and then deny thy hidden fraud;What in thy mind lies hid shall soon be known abroad
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Let (the drunkard) give up saying "I have never drunk"; (for) the moment (he drinks) he will simply betray his former attempt to conceal
Tamil commentary
போதைப் பொருளைப் பயன்படுத்தி அறியேன் என்று பிறர்முன் சொல்வதை விட்டுவிடுக. ஏனெனில் மனத்துக்குள் மறைத்தது, நிதானம் தவறும்போது பெரிதாக வெளிப்பட்டு விடும்.
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?