Kural 476Chapter 48: The Knowledge of Power

Thirukkural 476 in English

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

Tamil original

நுனிக்கொம்பர் ஏறினார் அஃதிறந் தூக்கின்
உயிர்க்கிறுதி ஆகி விடும்.

Transliteration

Nunikkompar Erinaar Aqdhiran Thookkin
Uyirkkirudhi Aaki Vitum

Modern English

“Once you have reached your safe limit, pushing farther can turn success into danger.”

Modern Interpretation

Once you have reached your safe limit, pushing farther can turn success into danger. For example, continuing up a difficult trail after ignoring warning signs can put your life at risk.

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

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Modern Plain English

Once you have reached your safe limit, pushing farther can turn success into danger.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Who daring climbs, and would himself upraiseBeyond the branch's tip, with life the forfeit pays

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

There will be an end to the life of him who, having climbed out to the end of a branch, ventures to go further

Tamil commentary

ஒரு மரக்கிளையின் நுனியில் ஏறிவிட்டவர், அந்த அளவையும் கடந்து மேலும் ஏற முயன்றால், அம் முயற்சியே அவர் உயிருக்கு முடிவாகிவிடும்.

Chapter 48

More from The Knowledge of Power

வலியறிதல்

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Kural 471

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

Kural 472

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

Kural 473

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

Kural 474

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

Kural 475

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

Kural 476

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

Kural 477

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

Kural 478

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

Kural 479

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

Kural 480

Wealth amassed quickly vanishes Sans level if one lavishes