Thirukkural 473 in English

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

Tamil original

உடைத்தம் வலியறியார் ஊக்கத்தின் ஊக்கி
இடைக்கண் முரிந்தார் பலர்.

Transliteration

Utaiththam Valiyariyaar Ookkaththin Ookki
Itaikkan Murindhaar Palar

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

There are many who, ignorant of their (want of) power (to meet it), have haughtily set out to war, and broken down in the midst of it

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Ill-deeming of their proper powers, have many monarchs striven,And midmost of unequal conflict fallen asunder riven

Plain-English Meaning

There are many who, ignorant of their (want of) power (to meet it), have haughtily set out to war, and broken down in the midst of it

தம் ஆற்றலை அறியாமல், ஒரு வேகத்தில் செயலைச் செய்யத் தொடங்கித் தொடரமுடியாமல் இடையே விட்டுக் கெட்டவர் பலர்.

Chapter 48

வலியறிதல்

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wealth amassed quickly vanishes Sans level if one lavishes