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

English Translation

“With troops in large numbers on rolls Army can't march missing gen'rals”

Plain-English meaning

Though an army may contain a large number of permanent soldiers, it cannot last if it has no generals

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

Though an army may contain a large number of permanent soldiers, it cannot last if it has no generals

சிறந்த வீரர்கள் அதிகம் இருந்தாலும், படைக்கு நல்ல தலைவன் இல்லை என்றால் அந்தப் படை போரில் நிலைத்து நிற்காது.

Chapter 77

படை மாட்சி

The daring well-armed winning force Is king's treasure and main resource

Through shots and wounds brave heroes hold Quailing not in fall, the field

Sea-like ratfoes roar What if? They perish at a cobra's whiff

The army guards its genial flame Not crushed, routed nor marred in name

The real army with rallied force Resists even Death-God fierce

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

Army sets on to face to foes Knowing how the trend of war goes

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

Army shall win if it is free From weakness, aversion, poverty

With troops in large numbers on rolls Army can't march missing gen'rals