Thirukkural 770 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நிலைமக்கள் சால உடைத்தெனினும் தானை
தலைமக்கள் இல்வழி இல்.
Transliteration
Nilaimakkal Saala Utaiththeninum Thaanai
Thalaimakkal Ilvazhi Il
Modern English
“Even a large group of steady soldiers cannot last without capable leaders.”
Modern Interpretation
Even a large group of steady soldiers cannot last without capable leaders. Numbers need direction and coordination. For example, a workplace may have many talented employees, but a project can still collapse if nobody makes clear decisions.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Even a large group of steady soldiers cannot last without capable leaders.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
With troops in large numbers on rolls Army can't march missing gen'rals
G.U. Pope Translation
Though men abound, all ready for the war,No army is where no fit leaders are
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Though an army may contain a large number of permanent soldiers, it cannot last if it has no generals
Tamil commentary
சிறந்த வீரர்கள் அதிகம் இருந்தாலும், படைக்கு நல்ல தலைவன் இல்லை என்றால் அந்தப் படை போரில் நிலைத்து நிற்காது.
Chapter 77
More from The Excellence of an Army
படை மாட்சி
The daring well-armed winning force Is king's treasure and main resource
Kural 762Through shots and wounds brave heroes hold Quailing not in fall, the field
Kural 763Sea-like ratfoes roar What if? They perish at a cobra's whiff
Kural 764The army guards its genial flame Not crushed, routed nor marred in name
Kural 765The real army with rallied force Resists even Death-God fierce
Kural 766Manly army has merits four:- Stately-march, faith, honour, valour
Kural 767Army sets on to face to foes Knowing how the trend of war goes
Kural 768Army gains force by grand array Lacking in stay or dash in fray
Kural 769Army shall win if it is free From weakness, aversion, poverty
Kural 770With troops in large numbers on rolls Army can't march missing gen'rals