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
Modern English
“A life can collapse quickly when warning signs are ignored instead of being dealt with early.”
Modern Interpretation
A life can collapse quickly when warning signs are ignored instead of being dealt with early. For example, refusing to repair a small leak may leave a home badly damaged after the next storm.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A life can collapse quickly when warning signs are ignored instead of being dealt with early.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The prosperity of him who does not timely guard against faults, will perish like straw before fire
Tamil commentary
தனக்கு ஒரு குற்றம் வருவதற்கு முன்பே வராமல் காத்துக் கொள்ளாத அரசு, நெருப்பிற்கு முன் வைக்கப்பட்ட வைக்கோல் போல அழிந்துபோகும்.
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