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
Modern English
“Many people start boldly without knowing their limits and fail before they finish.”
Modern Interpretation
Many people start boldly without knowing their limits and fail before they finish. For example, taking on five demanding commitments at once can leave every one of them incomplete.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
Many people start boldly without knowing their limits and fail before they finish.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
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
Tamil commentary
தம் ஆற்றலை அறியாமல், ஒரு வேகத்தில் செயலைச் செய்யத் தொடங்கித் தொடரமுடியாமல் இடையே விட்டுக் கெட்டவர் பலர்.
Chapter 48
More from The Knowledge of Power
வலியறிதல்
Judge act and might and foeman's strength The allies' strength and go at length
Kural 472Nothing hampers the firm who know What they can and how to go
Kural 473Many know not their meagre might Their pride breaks up in boastful fight
Kural 474Who adapts not, outsteps measure And brags himself-his fall is sure
Kural 475Even the gentle peacock's plume Cart's axle breaks by gross volume
Kural 476Beyond the branches' tip who skips Ends the life as his body rips
Kural 477Know the limit; grant with measure This way give and guard your treasure
Kural 478The outflow must not be excess No matter how small income is
Kural 479Who does not know to live in bounds His life seems rich but thins and ends
Kural 480Wealth amassed quickly vanishes Sans level if one lavishes