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
Modern English
“Even small burdens become dangerous when too many are piled together.”
Modern Interpretation
Even small burdens become dangerous when too many are piled together. For example, a backpack that feels light at first can tear or hurt your back when it is overloaded.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Even small burdens become dangerous when too many are piled together.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The axle tree of a bandy, loaded only with peacocks' feathers will break, if it be greatly overloaded
Tamil commentary
மயில்தோகைதானே என்று அதை அளவுக்கு அதிகமாக வண்டியில் ஏற்றினால் வண்டியின் அச்சு முறிந்துபோகும்.
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