Tirukkural Chapter 29 - Couplets 1,2,3 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 29 - கள்ளாமை
CHAPTER 29 - NON STEALING
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29/01. எள்ளாமை வேண்டுவான் என்பான் எனைத்தொன்றும்
கள்ளாமை காக்கதன் நெஞ்சு.

29/01. Ellaamai venduvaan enbaan enaiththonrrum
Kallaamai kaakkaththan nenju.

29/01. If one is not to be blamed by others, he should safeguard his heart
To see that he steals not even a small thing from others.
***
Kamal: Big or small one should not steal another man's property.

Sunder: Yes Kamal, Stealing habit forms at young age
If it goes unchecked at that stage,
He becomes a regular thief
In the course of his life.

It creates a mental disease
Called ‘Kleptomania'
An irresistible tendency
To steal what one can buy.

To a shopping mall
A rich lady went to steal
Though she could buy
Paying down money.

The mall keeper was silent
As her secretary later went
And paid every bill
What was due to mall.

She had this disease,
To rob whatever she likes,
But if it affects a poor boy
Will it not be a different story?
***
29/02. உள்ளத்தால் உள்ளலும் தீதே; பிறன்பொருளைக்
கள்ளத்தால் கள்வேம் எனல்.

29/02. Ullaththaal ullalum theedhe; pirranporullaik
Kallaththaal kallvem enal.

29/02. Even to think of stealing others
Without their knowledge will harm one.
***
Kamal: Even thinking of stealing is harmful
For a thought leads one to action.

Sunder: Yes Kamal, a story I'll tell
A fatherless son started to steal,
As a young pick-pocket-boy
From any casual passerby.

Slowly he became a big thief,
With no steady income in his life.
One day he was caught.
Before a judge he was brought.

When judge asked he said
'I'm not a thief, Oh my lord,
My mother is a thief
For not checking my life.

Had she, in my young age,
Beat me at that stage,
I would have been
By now her good son.

It may be his valid point
But the judge did not
Accept his argument
But gave him punishment.
***
29/03. களவினால் ஆகிய ஆக்கம் அளவிறந்து
ஆவது போலக் கெடும்.

29/03. Kallavinaal aagiya aakkam allavirrandhu
Aavadhu polak kedum.

29/03. The money that is saved by stealing will increase in the beginning
But later on when it crosses its boundary, it will disappear badly.
***
Kamal: Even hard earned money does not remain.
How the stolen money will stay with one?

Sunder: Stolen money is not white money,
But it's called black money,
That'll one day disappear
To an unknown corner.

Though one can enjoy it
For a limited period
When caught red handed
The state will confiscate it.

Tax evasion is another form
Of stealing money from
Government Treasuries,
That is kept in secret banks.
***