Thirukkural 679 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நட்டார்க்கு நல்ல செயலின் விரைந்ததே
ஒட்டாரை ஒட்டிக் கொளல்.
Transliteration
Nattaarkku Nalla Seyalin Viraindhadhe
Ottaarai Ottik Kolal
Modern English
“Winning over an enemy can be more urgent than doing another favor for a friend.”
Modern Interpretation
Winning over an enemy can be more urgent than doing another favor for a friend. Clearing up a serious dispute with a rival teammate may protect the whole group.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Winning over an enemy can be more urgent than doing another favor for a friend.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Than doing good to friends it is More urgent to befriend the foes
G.U. Pope Translation
Than kindly acts to friends more urgent thing to do, Is making foes to cling as friends attached to you
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
One should rather hasten to secure the alliance of the foes (of one's foes) than perform good offices to one's friends
Tamil commentary
ஒரு செயலைச் செய்யும்போது நண்பர்களுக்கு நல்லது செய்வதைக் காட்டிலும் தன் பகைவர்களோடு நட்புக் கொள்வது விரைந்து செய்யப்படவேண்டியது.
Chapter 68
More from Modes of Action
வினை செயல்வகை
When counsel takes a resolve strong Weak delay of action is wrong
Kural 672Delay such acts as need delay Delay not acts that need display
Kural 673It's best to act when feasible If not see what is possible
Kural 674Work or foe left unfinished Flare up like fire unextinguished
Kural 675Money and means, time, place and deed Decide these five and then proceed
Kural 676Weigh well the end, hindrance, profit And then pursue a fitting act
Kural 677Know first the secret from experts That is the way of fruitful acts
Kural 678Lure a tusker by a tusker Achieve a deed by deed better
Kural 679Than doing good to friends it is More urgent to befriend the foes
Kural 680Small statesmen fearing people's fear Submit to foes superior