Thirukkural 449 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
முதலிலார்க ஊதிய மில்லை மதலையாஞ்
சார்பிலார்க் கில்லை நிலை.
Transliteration
Mudhalilaarkku Oodhiya Millai Madhalaiyaanjjch
Aarpilaark Killai Nilai
Modern English
“Effort cannot last without dependable support, just as a business cannot earn without some capital to begin with.”
Modern Interpretation
Effort cannot last without dependable support, just as a business cannot earn without some capital to begin with. For example, a community project needs committed people and basic resources if it is to continue after its first success.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Effort cannot last without dependable support, just as a business cannot earn without some capital to begin with.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
No capital, no gain in trade No prop secure sans good comrade
G.U. Pope Translation
Who owns no principal, can have no gain of usury;Who lacks support of friends, knows no stability
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
There can be no gain to those who have no capital; and in like manner there can be no permanence to
Tamil commentary
முதல் இல்லாதவர்களுக்கு அதனால் வரும் லாபம் இல்லை, அதுபோலவே தன்னைத் தாங்கும் துறைப் பெரியவர் துணை இல்லாத அரசுக்கு அவர்களால் வரும் பயனும் இல்லை.
Chapter 45
More from Seeking the Aid of Great Men
பெரியாரைத் துணைக்கோடல்
Weigh their worth and friendship gain Of men of virtue and mature brain
Kural 442Cherish the help of men of skill Who ward and safe-guard you from ill
Kural 443Honour and have the great your own Is rarest of the rare things known
Kural 444To have betters as intimates Power of all powers promotes
Kural 445Ministers are the monarch's eyes Round him should be the right and wise
Kural 446To move with worthy friends who knows Has none to fear from frightful foes
Kural 447No foe can foil his powers whose friends reprove him when he errs
Kural 448The careless king whom none reproves Ruins himself sans harmful foes
Kural 449No capital, no gain in trade No prop secure sans good comrade
Kural 450To give up good friends is ten times worse Than being hated by countless foes