Chapter 94: Gambling

வேண்டற்க வென்றிடினும் சூதினை வென்றதூஉம்
தூண்டிற்பொன் மீன்விழுங்கி அற்று.

Ventarka Vendritinum Soodhinai Vendradhooum
Thoontirpon Meenvizhungi Atru

Avoid gambling, albeit you win Gulping bait-hook what does fish gain?

Meaning: Though able to win, let not one desire gambling; (for) even what is won is like a fish swallowing the iron in fish-hook

ஒன்றெய்தி நூறிழக்கும் சூதர்க்கும் உண்டாங்கொல்
நன்றெய்தி வாழ்வதோர் ஆறு.

Ondreydhi Noorizhakkum Soodharkkum Untaangol
Nandreydhi Vaazhvadhor Aaru

Can gamblers in life good obtain Who lose a hundred one to gain?

Meaning: That they may good obtain, and see a prosperous day? Is there indeed a means of livelihood that can bestow happiness on gamblers who gain one and lose a hundred?

உருளாயம் ஓவாது கூறின் பொருளாயம்
போஒய்ப் புறமே படும்.

Urulaayam Ovaadhu Koorin Porulaayam
Pooip Purame Patum

If kings indulge in casting dice All their fortune will flow to foes

Meaning: If the king is incessantly addicted to the rolling dice in the hope of gain, his wealth and the resources thereof will take their departure and fall into other's hands

சிறுமை பலசெய்து சீரழக்கும் சூதின்
வறுமை தருவதொன்று இல்.

Sirumai Palaseydhu Seerazhikkum Soodhin
Varumai Tharuvadhondru Il

Nothing will make you poor like game Which adds to woes and ruins fame

Meaning: There is nothing else that brings (us) poverty like gambling which causes many a misery and destroys (one's) reputation

கவறும் கழகமும் கையும் தருக்கி
இவறியார் இல்லாகி யார்.

Kavarum Kazhakamum Kaiyum Tharukki
Ivariyaar Illaaki Yaar

The game, game-hall and gambler's art Who sought with glee have come to nought

Meaning: Penniless are those who by reason of their attachment would never forsake gambling, the gamblingplace and the handling (of dice)

அகடாரார் அல்லல் உழப்பர்சூ தென்னும்
முகடியான் மூடப்பட் டார்.

Akataaraar Allal Uzhapparsoo Thennum
Mukatiyaan Mootappat Taar

Men swallowed by the ogress, dice Suffer grief and want by that vice

Meaning: Those who are swallowed by the goddess called "gambling" will never have their hunger satisfied, but suffer the pangs of hell in the next world

பழகிய செல்வமும் பண்பும் கெடுக்கும்
கழகத்துக் காலை புகின்.

Pazhakiya Selvamum Panpum Ketukkum
Kazhakaththuk Kaalai Pukin

If men their time in game-den spend Ancestral wealth and virtues end

Meaning: To waste time at the place of gambling will destroy inherited wealth and goodness of character

பொருள்கெடுத்துப் பொய்மேற் கொளீஇ அருள்கெடுத்து
அல்லல் உழப்பிக்கும் சூது.

Porul Ketuththup Poimer Koleei
Arulketuththu Allal Uzhappikkum Soodhu

Game ruins wealth and spoils grace Leads to lies and wretched woes

Meaning: Gambling destroys property, teaches falsehood, puts an end to benevolence, and brings in misery (here and hereafter)

உடைசெல்வம் ஊண்ஒளி கல்விஎன்று ஐந்தும்
அடையாவாம் ஆயங் கொளின்.

Utaiselvam Oonoli Kalviendru Aindhum
Ataiyaavaam Aayang Kolin

Dress, wealth, food, fame, learning-these five In gambler's hand will never thrive

Meaning: The habit of gambling prevents the attainment of these five: clothing, wealth, food, fame and learning

இழத்தொறூஉம் காதலிக்கும் சூதேபோல் துன்பம்
உழத்தொறூஉம் காதற்று உயிர்.

Izhaththoru�um Kaadhalikkum Soodhepol Thunpam
Uzhaththoru�um Kaadhatru Uyir

Love for game grows with every loss As love for life with sorrows grows

Meaning: 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