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
Modern English
“Even people without great defenses are difficult to defeat on their own ground.”
Modern Interpretation
Even people without great defenses are difficult to defeat on their own ground. For example, a visiting team may face a strong challenge because the local team knows the field and conditions better.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Even people without great defenses are difficult to defeat on their own ground.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
It is a hazardous thing to attack men in their own country, although they may neither have power nor a good fortress
Tamil commentary
மனிதர்கள் வலிமையான கோட்டையும், மிகுந்த பலமும் இல்லாதவர்தாம் என்றாலும் அவர்கள் இருக்கும் இடத்திற்கே சென்று தாக்குவது கடினம்.
Chapter 50
More from Knowing the Place
இடனறிதல்
No action take, no foe despise Until you have surveyed the place
Kural 492Many are gains of fortresses Ev'n to kings of power and prowess
Kural 493Weaklings too withstand foe's offence In proper fields of strong defence
Kural 494If fighters fight in vantage field The plans of foes shall be baffled
Kural 495In water crocodile prevails In land before others it fails
Kural 496Sea-going ship goes not on shore Nor on sea the strong-wheeled car
Kural 497No aid but daring dash they need When field is chosen right for deed
Kural 498Though force is small, if place is right One quells a foe of well-armed might
Kural 499To face a foe at home is vain Though fort and status are not fine
Kural 500A fox can kill a war tusker Fearless with feet in deep quagmire