Thirukkural 1074 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அகப்பட்டி ஆவாரைக் காணின் அவரின்
மிகப்பட்டுச் செம்மாக்கும் கீழ்.
Transliteration
Akappatti Aavaaraik Kaanin Avarin
Mikappattuch Chemmaakkum Keezh
Modern English
“A bad person feels superior whenever they find someone even worse.”
Modern Interpretation
A bad person feels superior whenever they find someone even worse. Someone who lies about small things may boast that at least they have not committed a larger wrongdoing.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A bad person feels superior whenever they find someone even worse.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
When the base meets a rake so vile Him he will exceed, exult and smile
G.U. Pope Translation
When base men those behold of conduct vile,They straight surpass them, and exulting smile
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The base feels proud when he sees persons whose acts meaner than his own
Tamil commentary
தனக்கும் கீழாகத் தான் விரும்பியபடி எல்லாம் வாழும் நாய் போன்றவரைக் கண்டால் அவரைக் காட்டிலும் மேலாகத் தன் நிலையைக் காட்டி கயமை, இறுமாப்புக் கொள்ளும்.
Chapter 108
More from Baseness
கயமை
The mean seem men only in form We have never seen such a sham
Kural 1072The base seem richer than the good For no care enters their heart or head
Kural 1073The base are like gods; for they too As prompted by their desire do
Kural 1074When the base meets a rake so vile Him he will exceed, exult and smile
Kural 1075Fear forms the conduct of the low Craving avails a bit below
Kural 1076The base are like the beaten drum Since other's secrets they proclaim
Kural 1077The base their damp hand will not shake But for fists clenched their jaws to break
Kural 1078The good by soft words profits yield The cane-like base when crushed and killed
Kural 1079Faults in others the mean will guess On seeing how they eat and dress
Kural 1080The base hasten to sell themselves From doom to flit and nothing else