Thirukkural 929 in English

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

Tamil original

களித்தானைக் காரணம் காட்டுதல் கீழ்நீர்க்
குளித்தானைத் தீத்துரீஇ அற்று.

Transliteration

Kaliththaanaik Kaaranam Kaattudhal Keezhneerk
Kuliththaanaith Theeththureei Atru

English Translation

“Can torch search one in water sunk? Can reason reach the raving drunk?”

Plain-English meaning

Reasoning with a drunkard is like going under water with a torch in search of a drowned man

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Can torch search one in water sunk? Can reason reach the raving drunk?

G.U. Pope Translation

Like him who, lamp in hand, would seek one sunk beneath the waveIs he who strives to sober drunken man with reasonings grave

Plain-English Meaning

Reasoning with a drunkard is like going under water with a torch in search of a drowned man

போதைப் பொருளைப் பயன்படுத்துபவனைத் திருத்தப் பல்வேறு காரணம் காட்டுவது நீருக்குள் மூழ்கி இருப்பவனைத் தீப்பந்தத்தால் தேடுவதுபோல் ஆகும்.

Chapter 93

கள்ளுண்ணாமை

Foes fear not who for toddy craze The addicts daily their glory lose

Drink not liquor; but let them drink Whom with esteem the wise won't think

The drunkard's joy pains ev'n mother's face How vile must it look for the wise?

Good shame turns back from him ashamed Who is guilty of wine condemned

To pay and drink and lose the sense Is nothing but rank ignorance

They take poison who take toddy And doze ev'n like a dead body

The secret drunkards' senses off Make the prying public laugh

Don't say I'm not a drunkard hard The hidden fraud is known abroad

Can torch search one in water sunk? Can reason reach the raving drunk?

The sober seeing the drunkard's plight On selves can't they feel same effect?