Thirukkural 499 in English

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

Tamil original

சிறைநலனும் சீரும் இலரெனினும் மாந்தர்
உறைநிலத்தோடு ஒட்டல் அரிது.

Transliteration

Sirainalanum Seerum Ilareninum Maandhar
Urainilaththotu Ottal Aridhu

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

It is a hazardous thing to attack men in their own country, although they may neither have power nor a good fortress

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Though fort be none, and store of wealth they lack,'Tis hard a people's homesteads to attack

Plain-English Meaning

It is a hazardous thing to attack men in their own country, although they may neither have power nor a good fortress

மனிதர்கள் வலிமையான கோட்டையும், மிகுந்த பலமும் இல்லாதவர்தாம் என்றாலும் அவர்கள் இருக்கும் இடத்திற்கே சென்று தாக்குவது கடினம்.

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