Kural 768Chapter 77: The Excellence of an Army

Thirukkural 768 in English

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

Tamil original

அடல்தகையும் ஆற்றலும் இல்லெனினும் தானை
படைத்தகையால் பாடு பெறும்.

Transliteration

Ataldhakaiyum Aatralum Illeninum Thaanai
Pataiththakaiyaal Paatu Perum

Modern English

“A force may look impressive even when it lacks the courage and strength needed for real action, but appearance alone cannot produce lasting success.”

Modern Interpretation

A force may look impressive even when it lacks the courage and strength needed for real action, but appearance alone cannot produce lasting success. Presentation is not performance. For example, a beautifully designed project will still fail if the team has not tested whether it works.

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Tamil pronunciation

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Modern Plain English

A force may look impressive even when it lacks the courage and strength needed for real action, but appearance alone cannot produce lasting success.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

Army gains force by grand array Lacking in stay or dash in fray

G.U. Pope Translation

Though not in war offensive or defensive skilled;An army gains applause when well equipped and drilled

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

Though destitute of courage to fight and strength (to endure), an army may yet gain renown by the splendour of its appearance

Tamil commentary

பகைவர் மேல் சென்று வெல்லும் வீரமும், பகைவர் வந்தால் தடுக்கும் பயிற்சியும் ஆற்றலும் படைக்கு இல்லை என்றாலும், அது தன் கட்டுப்பாடான அணிவகுப்பின் காட்சி அழகால் பெருமை பெறும்.

Chapter 77

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