Thirukkural 432 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
இவறலும் மாண்பிறந்த மானமும் மாணா
உவகையும் ஏதம் இறைக்கு.
Transliteration
Ivaralum Maanpirandha Maanamum Maanaa
Uvakaiyum Edham Iraikku
Modern English
“A leader is weakened by hoarding what others need, clinging to empty pride, or enjoying harmful pleasures.”
Modern Interpretation
A leader is weakened by hoarding what others need, clinging to empty pride, or enjoying harmful pleasures. For example, a club leader who keeps all the funds, rejects good advice, and humiliates volunteers damages the whole group.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A leader is weakened by hoarding what others need, clinging to empty pride, or enjoying harmful pleasures.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Mean pride, low pleasure, avarice These add blemishes to a prince
G.U. Pope Translation
A niggard hand, o'erweening self-regard, and mirthUnseemly, bring disgrace to men of kingly brith
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Avarice, undignified pride, and low pleasures are faults in a king
Tamil commentary
நியாயமாகத் தேவைப்படுவோர்க்குத் தேவையானவற்றைக் கொடாதிருப்பது, பெரியோர் என்று தெரிந்தும் தம் பதவிப் பெருமை கருதி வணங்காதிருப்பது, தீயவற்றில் மகிழ்வது - இவை ஆட்சியாளர்க்குக் குற்றங்களாம்.
Chapter 44
More from The Correction of Faults
குற்றங்கடிதல்
Plenty is their prosperity Who're free from wrath pride lust petty
Kural 432Mean pride, low pleasure, avarice These add blemishes to a prince
Kural 433Though millet-small their faults might seem Men fearing disgrace, Palm-tall deem
Kural 434Watch like treasure freedom from fault Our fatal foe is that default
Kural 435Who fails to guard himself from flaw Loses his life like flame-lit straw
Kural 436What fault can be the king's who cures First his faults, then scans others
Kural 437That miser's wealth shall waste and end Who would not for a good cause spend
Kural 438The gripping greed of miser's heart Is more than fault the worst apart
Kural 439Never boast yourself in any mood Nor do a deed that does no good
Kural 440All designs of the foes shall fail If one his wishes guards in veil