Thirukkural 931 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
வேண்டற்க வென்றிடினும் சூதினை வென்றதூஉம்
தூண்டிற்பொன் மீன்விழுங்கி அற்று.
Transliteration
Ventarka Vendritinum Soodhinai Vendradhooum
Thoontirpon Meenvizhungi Atru
Modern English
“Even a win does not make gambling safe; it can be the bait that hides the trap.”
Modern Interpretation
Even a win does not make gambling safe; it can be the bait that hides the trap. For example, a lucky first bet may tempt someone to keep playing until losses exceed the original win.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Even a win does not make gambling safe; it can be the bait that hides the trap.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Avoid gambling, albeit you win Gulping bait-hook what does fish gain?
G.U. Pope Translation
Seek not the gamester's play; though you should win,Your gain is as the baited hook the fish takes in
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Though able to win, let not one desire gambling; (for) even what is won is like a fish swallowing the iron in fish-hook
Tamil commentary
வெற்றி பெறும் ஆற்றல் இருந்தாலும் சூதாடுவதை விரும்ப வேண்டா. அதில் பெறும் வெற்றி, தூண்டிலின் முள்ளில் இருக்கும் உணவை மீன் விழுங்கியது போன்றதாம்.
Chapter 94
More from Gambling
சூது
Avoid gambling, albeit you win Gulping bait-hook what does fish gain?
Kural 932Can gamblers in life good obtain Who lose a hundred one to gain?
Kural 933If kings indulge in casting dice All their fortune will flow to foes
Kural 934Nothing will make you poor like game Which adds to woes and ruins fame
Kural 935The game, game-hall and gambler's art Who sought with glee have come to nought
Kural 936Men swallowed by the ogress, dice Suffer grief and want by that vice
Kural 937If men their time in game-den spend Ancestral wealth and virtues end
Kural 938Game ruins wealth and spoils grace Leads to lies and wretched woes
Kural 939Dress, wealth, food, fame, learning-these five In gambler's hand will never thrive
Kural 940Love for game grows with every loss As love for life with sorrows grows