Thirukkural 488 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
செறுநரைக் காணின் சுமக்க இறுவரை
காணின் கிழக்காம் தலை.
Transliteration
Serunaraik Kaanin Sumakka Iruvarai
Kaanin Kizhakkaam Thalai
Modern English
“When faced with an opponent, patience and courtesy can be wiser than a rushed reaction.”
Modern Interpretation
When faced with an opponent, patience and courtesy can be wiser than a rushed reaction. For example, calmly keeping records during a dispute may let the truth become clear when the other person makes a mistake.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
When faced with an opponent, patience and courtesy can be wiser than a rushed reaction.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Bear with hostiles when you meet them Fell down their head in fateful time
G.U. Pope Translation
If foes' detested form they see, with patience let them bear;When fateful hour at last they spy,- the head lies there
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
If one meets his enemy, let him show him all respect, until the time for his destruction is come; when that is come, his head will be easily brought low
Tamil commentary
பகைவர்க்கு அழிவுகாலம் வரும்வரை அவரைக் கண்டால் பணிக; அழிவுகாலம் வரும்போது தடை இன்றி அழிந்தபோவர்.
Chapter 49
More from Knowing the fitting Time
காலமறிதல்
By day the crow defeats the owl Kings need right time their foes to quell
Kural 482Well-ordered seasoned act is cord That fortune binds in bon accord
Kural 483What is hard for him who acts With proper means and time and tacts?
Kural 484Choose proper time and act and place Even the world you win with ease
Kural 485Who want to win the world sublime Wait unruffled biding their time
Kural 486By self-restraint stalwarts keep fit Like rams retreating but to butt
Kural 487The wise jut not their vital fire They watch their time with hidden ire
Kural 488Bear with hostiles when you meet them Fell down their head in fateful time
Kural 489When comes the season ripe and rare Dare and do hard things then and there
Kural 490In waiting time feign peace like stork In fighting time strike like its peck