Thirukkural 539 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
இகழ்ச்சியின் கெட்டாரை உள்ளுக தாந்தம்
மகிழ்ச்சியின் மைந்துறும் போழ்து.
Transliteration
Ikazhchchiyin Kettaarai Ulluka Thaandham
Makizhchchiyin Maindhurum Pozhdhu
Modern English
“When success makes you feel excited and secure, remember people who fell because they became careless.”
Modern Interpretation
When success makes you feel excited and secure, remember people who fell because they became careless. For example, after winning a competition, a team should still review its mistakes instead of assuming it cannot fail.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
When success makes you feel excited and secure, remember people who fell because they became careless.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
When joy deludes, their fate recall Whom negligence has made to fall
G.U. Pope Translation
Think on the men whom scornful mind hath brought to nought,When exultation overwhelms thy wildered thought
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Let (a king) think of those who have been ruined by neglect, when his mind is elated with joy
Tamil commentary
தம் மகிழ்ச்சியில் மனவலிமை பெறும்பொழுது எல்லாம் முற்காலத்தில் மகிழ்ச்சியால் மறதி கொண்டு அழிந்தவர்களை நினைவிற் கொள்க.
Chapter 54
More from Unforgetfulness
பொச்சாவாமை
Worse than wrath in excess is Forgetfulness in joy-excess
Kural 532Negligence kills renown just as Ceaseless want wisdom destroys
Kural 533Forgetful nature fails of fame All schools of thinkers say the same
Kural 534The fearful find no fortress here The forgetful find good never
Kural 535Failing foresight the guardless man Shall rue his folly later on
Kural 536Forget none; watch with wakeful care Miss none; the gain is sans compare
Kural 537With cautious care pursue a thing Impossible there is nothing
Kural 538Do what the wise commend as worth If not, for seven births no mirth
Kural 539When joy deludes, their fate recall Whom negligence has made to fall
Kural 540Easy it is a thing to get When the mind on it is set