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
Modern English
“In a conflict, do not recklessly challenge someone stronger, and do not let a weaker aggressor cause harm without response.”
Modern Interpretation
In a conflict, do not recklessly challenge someone stronger, and do not let a weaker aggressor cause harm without response. For example, choose a safe, fair way to handle a dispute instead of provoking a powerful rival or bullying an easier target.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
In a conflict, do not recklessly challenge someone stronger, and do not let a weaker aggressor cause harm without response.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Avoid offering resistance to the strong; (but) never fail to cherish enmity towards the weak
Tamil commentary
பகைவர் நம்மிலும் வலியர் என்றால் அவரை எதிர்ப்தைத் தவிர்த்து விடுக; மெலியர் என்றால் உடனே எதிர்த்துச் செல்க.
Chapter 87
More from The Might of Hatred
பகை மாட்சி
Turn from strife with foes too strong With the feeble for battle long
Kural 862Loveless, aidless, powerless king Can he withstand an enemy strong?
Kural 863Unskilled, timid, miser, misfit He is easy for foes to hit
Kural 864The wrathful restive man is prey To any, anywhere any day
Kural 865Crooked, cruel, tactless and base Any foe can fell him with ease
Kural 866Blind in rage and mad in lust To have his hatred is but just
Kural 867Pay and buy his enmity Who muddles chance with oddity
Kural 868With no virtue but full of vice He loses friends and delights foes
Kural 869The joy of heroes knows no bounds When timid fools are opponents
Kural 870Glory's light he will not gain Who fails to fight a fool and win