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

English Translation

“When the base meets a rake so vile Him he will exceed, exult and smile”

Plain-English meaning

The base feels proud when he sees persons whose acts meaner than his own

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

The base feels proud when he sees persons whose acts meaner than his own

தனக்கும் கீழாகத் தான் விரும்பியபடி எல்லாம் வாழும் நாய் போன்றவரைக் கண்டால் அவரைக் காட்டிலும் மேலாகத் தன் நிலையைக் காட்டி கயமை, இறுமாப்புக் கொள்ளும்.

Chapter 108

கயமை

The mean seem men only in form We have never seen such a sham

The base seem richer than the good For no care enters their heart or head

The base are like gods; for they too As prompted by their desire do

When the base meets a rake so vile Him he will exceed, exult and smile

Fear forms the conduct of the low Craving avails a bit below

The base are like the beaten drum Since other's secrets they proclaim

The base their damp hand will not shake But for fists clenched their jaws to break

The good by soft words profits yield The cane-like base when crushed and killed

Faults in others the mean will guess On seeing how they eat and dress

The base hasten to sell themselves From doom to flit and nothing else