Thirukkural 428 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அஞ்சுவ தஞ்சாமை பேதைமை அஞ்சுவது
அஞ்சல் அறிவார் தொழில்.
Transliteration
Anjuva Thanjaamai Pedhaimai Anjuvadhu
Anjal Arivaar Thozhil
Modern English
“Ignoring a real danger is not courage; wise people take proper fear as a signal to act carefully.”
Modern Interpretation
Ignoring a real danger is not courage; wise people take proper fear as a signal to act carefully. For example, wearing a helmet before cycling is sensible, not timid.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Ignoring a real danger is not courage; wise people take proper fear as a signal to act carefully.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Fear the frightful and act wisely Not to fear the frightful's folly
G.U. Pope Translation
Folly meets fearful ills with fearless heart;To fear where cause of fear exists is wisdom's part
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Not to fear what ought to be feared, is folly; it is the work of the wise to fear what should be feared
Tamil commentary
பயப்பட வேண்டியதற்குப் பயப்படாமல் இருப்பது மூடத்தனம்; பயப்படுவது அறிவாளிகளின் செயல்.
Chapter 43
More from The Possession of Knowledge
அறிவுடைமை
Wisdom's weapon wards off all woes It is a fort defying foes
Kural 422Wisdom checks the straying senses Expels evils, impels goodness
Kural 423To grasp the Truth from everywhere From everyone is wisdom fair
Kural 424Speaking out thoughts in clear trends Wisdom subtle sense comprehends
Kural 425The wise-world the wise befriend They bloom nor gloom, equal in mind
Kural 426As moves the world so move the wise In tune with changing times and ways
Kural 427The wise foresee what is to come The unwise lack in that wisdom
Kural 428Fear the frightful and act wisely Not to fear the frightful's folly
Kural 429No frightful evil shocks the wise Who guard themselves against surprise
Kural 430Who have wisdom they are all full Whatev'r they own, misfits are nil