Thirukkural 599 in English

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

Tamil original

பரியது கூர்ங்கோட்டது ஆயினும் யானை
஦வ்ருஉம் புலிதாக் குறின்.

Transliteration

Pariyadhu Koorngottadhu Aayinum Yaanai
Veruum Pulidhaak Kurin

English Translation

“Huge elephant sharp in tusk quails When tiger, less in form, assails”

Plain-English meaning

Although the elephant has a large body, and a sharp tusk, yet it fears the attack of the tiger

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Huge elephant sharp in tusk quails When tiger, less in form, assails

G.U. Pope Translation

Huge bulk of elephant with pointed tusk all armed,When tiger threatens shrinks away alarmed

Plain-English Meaning

Although the elephant has a large body, and a sharp tusk, yet it fears the attack of the tiger

யானை பெரிய உடம்பையும் கூர்மையான கொம்பினையும் உடையது என்றாலும் புலி தாக்கினால் பயப்படும்.

Chapter 60

ஊக்கம் உடைமை

To own is to own energy All others own but lethargy

Psychic heart is wealth indeed Worldly wealth departs in speed

The strong in will do not complain The loss of worldly wealth and gain

Fortune enquires, enters with boom Where tireless strivers have their home

Water depth is lotus height Mental strength is men's merit

Let thoughts be always great and grand Though they fail their virtues stand

Elephants are firm when arrows hit Great minds keep fit ev'n in defeat

Heartless persons cannot boast \"We are liberal to our best\"

Huge elephant sharp in tusk quails When tiger, less in form, assails

Mental courage is true manhood Lacking that man is like a wood