Thirukkural 566 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கடுஞ்சொல்லன் கண்ணிலன் ஆயின் நெடுஞ்செல்வம்
நீடின்றி ஆங்கே கெடும்.
Transliteration
Katunjollan Kannilan Aayin Netunjelvam
Neetindri Aange Ketum
Modern English
“Money cannot remain secure under a leader who speaks harshly and shows no compassion.”
Modern Interpretation
Money cannot remain secure under a leader who speaks harshly and shows no compassion. A successful founder who insults staff may soon lose the people whose work created that success.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Money cannot remain secure under a leader who speaks harshly and shows no compassion.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Whose word is harsh, whose sight is rude His wealth and power quickly fade
G.U. Pope Translation
The tyrant, harsh in speach and hard of eye,His ample joy, swift fading, soon shall die
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The abundant wealth of the king whose words are harsh and whose looks are void of kindness, will instantly perish instead of abiding long, with him
Tamil commentary
சுடுசொல்லையும், முகதாட்சண்யம் இன்மையும் உடைய அரசின் பெருஞ்செல்வம், பெருகாமல் உடனே அழியும்.
Chapter 57
More from Absence of Terrorism
வெருவந்த செய்யாமை
A king enquires and gives sentence Just to prevent future offence
Kural 562Wield fast the rod but gently lay This strict mildness prolongs the sway
Kural 563His cruel rod of dreadful deed Brings king's ruin quick indeed
Kural 564As men the king a tyrant call His days dwindled, hasten his fall
Kural 565Whose sight is scarce, whose face is foul His wealth seems watched by a ghoul
Kural 566Whose word is harsh, whose sight is rude His wealth and power quickly fade
Kural 567Reproofs rough and punishments rude Like files conquering power corrode
Kural 568The king who would not take counsels Rages with wrath-his fortune fails
Kural 569The king who builds not fort betimes Fears his foes in wars and dies
Kural 570The crushing burden borne by earth Is tyrants bound to fools uncouth