Thirukkural 434 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
குற்றமே காக்க பொருளாகக் குற்றமே
அற்றந் த்ரூஉம் பகை.
Transliteration
Kutrame Kaakka Porulaakak Kutrame
Atran Tharooum Pakai
Modern English
“A person's own faults are a more dangerous enemy than any outside rival, so protecting character must come first.”
Modern Interpretation
A person's own faults are a more dangerous enemy than any outside rival, so protecting character must come first. For example, stopping a small lie before it grows into a cover-up can save a whole team's trust.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
A person's own faults are a more dangerous enemy than any outside rival, so protecting character must come first.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Watch like treasure freedom from fault Our fatal foe is that default
G.U. Pope Translation
Freedom from faults is wealth; watch heedfully'Gainst these, for fault is fatal enmity
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Guard against faults as a matter (of great consequence; for) faults are a deadly enemy
Tamil commentary
அரசிற்கு அழிவுதரும் பகை மனக்குற்றந்தான். அதனால் அக்குற்றம் தன்னிடம் வராமல் காப்பதையே பொருளாகக் கொள்ள வேண்டும்.
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