Thirukkural 474 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அமைந்தாங் கொழுகான் அளவறியான் தன்னை
வியந்தான் விரைந்து கெடும்.
Transliteration
Amaindhaang Kozhukaan Alavariyaan Thannai
Viyandhaan Viraindhu Ketum
Modern English
“A person who ignores others, misunderstands their own limits, and admires their own greatness can fall quickly.”
Modern Interpretation
A person who ignores others, misunderstands their own limits, and admires their own greatness can fall quickly. For example, a boastful team leader may lose everyone’s cooperation and fail the project.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A person who ignores others, misunderstands their own limits, and admires their own greatness can fall quickly.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Who adapts not, outsteps measure And brags himself-his fall is sure
G.U. Pope Translation
Who not agrees with those around, no moderation knows,In self-applause indulging, swift to ruin goes
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
He will quickly perish who, ignorant of his own resources flatters himself of his greatness, and does
Tamil commentary
பிறருடன் மனங்கலந்து பழகாமல், தன் சொந்த பலத்தையும் அறியாமல் தன்னைப் பெரிதாக எண்ணியவன் விரைவில் அழிவான்.
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