Thirukkural 861 in English

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

Tamil original

வலியார்க்கு மாறேற்றல் ஓம்புக ஓம்பா
மெலியார்மேல் மேக பகை.

Transliteration

Valiyaarkku Maaretral Ompuka Ompaa
Meliyaarmel Meka Pakai

English Translation

“Turn from strife with foes too strong With the feeble for battle long”

Plain-English meaning

Avoid offering resistance to the strong; (but) never fail to cherish enmity towards the weak

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

Turn from strife with foes too strong With the feeble for battle long

G.U. Pope Translation

With stronger than thyself, turn from the strife away;With weaker shun not, rather court the fray

Plain-English Meaning

Avoid offering resistance to the strong; (but) never fail to cherish enmity towards the weak

பகைவர் நம்மிலும் வலியர் என்றால் அவரை எதிர்ப்தைத் தவிர்த்து விடுக; மெலியர் என்றால் உடனே எதிர்த்துச் செல்க.

Chapter 87

பகை மாட்சி

Turn from strife with foes too strong With the feeble for battle long

Loveless, aidless, powerless king Can he withstand an enemy strong?

Unskilled, timid, miser, misfit He is easy for foes to hit

The wrathful restive man is prey To any, anywhere any day

Crooked, cruel, tactless and base Any foe can fell him with ease

Blind in rage and mad in lust To have his hatred is but just

Pay and buy his enmity Who muddles chance with oddity

With no virtue but full of vice He loses friends and delights foes

The joy of heroes knows no bounds When timid fools are opponents

Glory's light he will not gain Who fails to fight a fool and win