Kural 766Chapter 77: The Excellence of an Army

Thirukkural 766 in English

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

Tamil original

மறமானம் மாண்ட வழிச்செலவு தேற்றம்
எனநான்கே ஏமம் படைக்கு.

Transliteration

Maramaanam Maanta Vazhichchelavu Thetram
Enanaanke Emam Pataikku

Modern English

“An effective force needs four safeguards: courage, honor, a worthy tradition of conduct, and the leader's trust.”

Modern Interpretation

An effective force needs four safeguards: courage, honor, a worthy tradition of conduct, and the leader's trust. Skill without character is not enough. For example, a project team works best when its members are brave about problems, ethical, well trained, and trusted with responsibility.

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Modern Plain English

An effective force needs four safeguards: courage, honor, a worthy tradition of conduct, and the leader's trust.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

Manly army has merits four:- Stately-march, faith, honour, valour

G.U. Pope Translation

Valour with honour, sure advance in glory's path, with confidence;To warlike host these four are sure defence

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

Valour, honour, following in the excellent-footsteps (of its predecessors) and trust-worthiness; these four alone constitute the safeguard of an army

Tamil commentary

வீரம், மானம், நல்ல வழியில் நடத்தல், அரசி்ன நம்பிக்கைக்கு உரியது ஆதல் எனும் நான்கும் படைக்கு காவல் அரண்களாகும்.

Chapter 77

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