Thirukkural 475 in English

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

Tamil original

பீலிபெய் சாகாடும் அச்சிறும் அப்பண்டஞ்
சால மிகுத்துப் பெயின்.

Transliteration

Peelipey Saakaatum Achchirum Appantanjjch
Aala Mikuththup Peyin

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

The axle tree of a bandy, loaded only with peacocks' feathers will break, if it be greatly overloaded

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

With peacock feathers light, you load the wain;Yet, heaped too high, the axle snaps in twain

Plain-English Meaning

The axle tree of a bandy, loaded only with peacocks' feathers will break, if it be greatly overloaded

மயில்தோகைதானே என்று அதை அளவுக்கு அதிகமாக வண்டியில் ஏற்றினால் வண்டியின் அச்சு முறிந்துபோகும்.

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