Kural 440Chapter 44: The Correction of Faults

Thirukkural 440 in English

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

Tamil original

காதல காதல் அறியாமை உய்க்கிற்பின்
ஏதில ஏதிலார் நூல்.

Transliteration

Kaadhala Kaadhal Ariyaamai Uykkirpin
Edhila Edhilaar Nool

Modern English

“Keep important plans private until they are ready, because careless disclosure can give opponents a chance to interfere.”

Modern Interpretation

Keep important plans private until they are ready, because careless disclosure can give opponents a chance to interfere. For example, a small business may protect a new product idea until it is prepared to launch it.

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Tamil pronunciation

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Modern Plain English

Keep important plans private until they are ready, because careless disclosure can give opponents a chance to interfere.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

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

G.U. Pope Translation

If, to your foes unknown, you cherish what you love,Counsels of men who wish you harm will harmless prove

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

If (a king) enjoys, privately the things which he desires, the designs of his enemies will be useless

Tamil commentary

தான் செய்ய எண்ணியவற்றைப் பிறர் முன்னதாகவே அறிந்துவிடாதபடி காத்தால், அவனை அழிக்க எண்ணும் பகைவர் எண்ணம் பழுதுபடும்.

Chapter 44

More from The Correction of Faults

குற்றங்கடிதல்

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Kural 431

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

Kural 432

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

Kural 433

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

Kural 434

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

Kural 435

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

Kural 436

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

Kural 437

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

Kural 438

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

Kural 439

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

Kural 440

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