Thirukkural 1080 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
எற்றிற் குரியர் கயவரொன்று உற்றக்கால்
விற்றற்கு உரியர் விரைந்து.
Transliteration
Etrir Kuriyar Kayavarondru Utrakkaal
Vitrarku Uriyar Viraindhu
Modern English
“When trouble comes, the mean may quickly sell their loyalty or freedom to escape it; that is what they are fit for.”
Modern Interpretation
When trouble comes, the mean may quickly sell their loyalty or freedom to escape it; that is what they are fit for. A person who abandons every principle as soon as money or pressure appears cannot be trusted in a crisis.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
When trouble comes, the mean may quickly sell their loyalty or freedom to escape it; that is what they are fit for.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The base hasten to sell themselves From doom to flit and nothing else
G.U. Pope Translation
For what is base man fit, if griefs assail?Himself to offer, there and then, for sale
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The base will hasten to sell themselves as soon as a calamity has befallen them. For what else are they fitted ?
Tamil commentary
தமக்கு லாபமோ நட்டமோ வரும் என்றால் தம்மைப் பிறர்க்கு அடிமை ஆக்குவர்; இதற்கு அன்றி வேறு எந்தத் தொழிலுக்குக் கயவர் உரியர் ஆவர்?
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