Thirukkural 435 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

வருமுன்னர்க் காவாதான் வாழ்க்கை எரிமுன்னர்
வைத்தூறு போலக் கெடும்.

Transliteration

Varumunnark Kaavaadhaan Vaazhkkai Erimunnar
Vaiththooru Polak Ketum

English Translation

“Who fails to guard himself from flaw Loses his life like flame-lit straw”

Plain-English meaning

The prosperity of him who does not timely guard against faults, will perish like straw before fire

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Who fails to guard himself from flaw Loses his life like flame-lit straw

G.U. Pope Translation

His joy who guards not 'gainst the coming evil day,Like straw before the fire shall swift consume away

Plain-English Meaning

The prosperity of him who does not timely guard against faults, will perish like straw before fire

தனக்கு ஒரு குற்றம் வருவதற்கு முன்பே வராமல் காத்துக் கொள்ளாத அரசு, நெருப்பிற்கு முன் வைக்கப்பட்ட வைக்கோல் போல அழிந்துபோகும்.

Chapter 44

குற்றங்கடிதல்

Plenty is their prosperity Who're free from wrath pride lust petty

Mean pride, low pleasure, avarice These add blemishes to a prince

Though millet-small their faults might seem Men fearing disgrace, Palm-tall deem

Watch like treasure freedom from fault Our fatal foe is that default

Who fails to guard himself from flaw Loses his life like flame-lit straw

What fault can be the king's who cures First his faults, then scans others

That miser's wealth shall waste and end Who would not for a good cause spend

The gripping greed of miser's heart Is more than fault the worst apart

Never boast yourself in any mood Nor do a deed that does no good

All designs of the foes shall fail If one his wishes guards in veil