Kural 471Chapter 48: The Knowledge of Power

Thirukkural 471 in English

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

Tamil original

வினைவலியும் தன்வலியும் மாற்றான் வலியும்
துணைவலியும் தூக்கிச் செயல்.

Transliteration

Vinaivaliyum Thanvaliyum Maatraan Valiyum
Thunaivaliyum Thookkich Cheyal

Modern English

“Before acting, weigh the task, your own strength, the other side’s strength, and the support available to both.”

Modern Interpretation

Before acting, weigh the task, your own strength, the other side’s strength, and the support available to both. For example, a small team should check its skills and resources before taking on a major competitor.

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

Compare translations

Modern Plain English

Before acting, weigh the task, your own strength, the other side’s strength, and the support available to both.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

Judge act and might and foeman's strength The allies' strength and go at length

G.U. Pope Translation

The force the strife demands, the force he owns, the force of foes,The force of friends; these should he weigh ere to the war he goes

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

Let (one) weigh well the strength of the deed (he purposes to do), his own strength, the strength of his enemy, and the strength of the allies (of both), and then let him act

Tamil commentary

செய்வதற்கு எண்ணும் செயலின் வலிமை, செய்ய முயலும் தன் வலிமை, அதை எதிர்க்கும் எதிரியின் வலிமை, இருவர்க்கும் துணை வருவார் வலிமை என்னும் இவற்றை எல்லாம் நன்கு எண்ணிச் செயலைச் செய்க.

Chapter 48

More from The Knowledge of Power

வலியறிதல்

Read all 10 Kurals →

Kural 471

Judge act and might and foeman's strength The allies' strength and go at length

Kural 472

Nothing hampers the firm who know What they can and how to go

Kural 473

Many know not their meagre might Their pride breaks up in boastful fight

Kural 474

Who adapts not, outsteps measure And brags himself-his fall is sure

Kural 475

Even the gentle peacock's plume Cart's axle breaks by gross volume

Kural 476

Beyond the branches' tip who skips Ends the life as his body rips

Kural 477

Know the limit; grant with measure This way give and guard your treasure

Kural 478

The outflow must not be excess No matter how small income is

Kural 479

Who does not know to live in bounds His life seems rich but thins and ends

Kural 480

Wealth amassed quickly vanishes Sans level if one lavishes