Thirukkural 940 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
இழத்தொறூஉம் காதலிக்கும் சூதேபோல் துன்பம்
உழத்தொறூஉம் காதற்று உயிர்.
Transliteration
Izhaththoru�um Kaadhalikkum Soodhepol Thunpam
Uzhaththoru�um Kaadhatru Uyir
Modern English
“The more a gambler loses, the more they may crave gambling—just as suffering can make a person cling more tightly to life.”
Modern Interpretation
The more a gambler loses, the more they may crave gambling—just as suffering can make a person cling more tightly to life. For example, after losing money, someone may keep betting to recover it and sink even deeper.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
The more a gambler loses, the more they may crave gambling—just as suffering can make a person cling more tightly to life.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Love for game grows with every loss As love for life with sorrows grows
G.U. Pope Translation
Howe'er he lose, the gambler's heart is ever in the play;E'en so the soul, despite its griefs, would live on earth alway
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
As the gambler loves (his vice) the more he loses by it, so does the soul love (the body) the more it suffers through it
Tamil commentary
துன்பத்தை அனுபவிக்கும் போதெல்லாம் இந்த உடம்பின் மேல் உயிருக்குக் காதல் பெருகுவது போல, சூதாடிப் பொருளை இழந்து துன்பப்படும் போதெல்லாம் சூதாட்டத்தின் மேல் ஆசை பெருகும்.
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