Thirukkural 496 in English

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

Tamil original

கடலோடா கால்வல் நெடுந்தேர் கடலோடும்
நாவாயும் ஓடா நிலத்து.

Transliteration

Katalotaa Kaalval Netundher Katalotum
Naavaayum Otaa Nilaththu

Modern English

“Every tool has a setting where it works best.”

Modern Interpretation

Every tool has a setting where it works best. For example, a bicycle is useful on a road but cannot replace a boat on open water.

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

Modern Plain English

Every tool has a setting where it works best.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

Sea-going ship goes not on shore Nor on sea the strong-wheeled car

G.U. Pope Translation

The lofty car, with mighty wheel, sails not o'er watery main,The boat that skims the sea, runs not on earth's hard plain

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

Wide chariots, with mighty wheels, will not run on the ocean; neither will ships that the traverse ocean, move on the earth

வலிய சக்கரங்களை உடைய நெடிய தேர்கள் கடலில் ஒடமாட்டா; கடலில் ஓடும் கப்பல்கள் நிலத்தில் ஓடமாட்டா.

Chapter 50

இடனறிதல்

No action take, no foe despise Until you have surveyed the place

Many are gains of fortresses Ev'n to kings of power and prowess

Weaklings too withstand foe's offence In proper fields of strong defence

If fighters fight in vantage field The plans of foes shall be baffled

In water crocodile prevails In land before others it fails

Sea-going ship goes not on shore Nor on sea the strong-wheeled car

No aid but daring dash they need When field is chosen right for deed

Though force is small, if place is right One quells a foe of well-armed might

To face a foe at home is vain Though fort and status are not fine

A fox can kill a war tusker Fearless with feet in deep quagmire