Thirukkural 867 in English

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

Tamil original

கொடுத்தும் கொளல்வேண்டும் மன்ற அடுத்திருந்து
மாணாத செய்வான் பகை.

Transliteration

Kotuththum Kolalventum Mandra Atuththirundhu
Maanaadha Seyvaan Pakai

English Translation

“Pay and buy his enmity Who muddles chance with oddity”

Plain-English meaning

It is indeed necessary to obtain even by purchase the hatred of him who having begun (a work) does what is not conductive (to its accomplishment)

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

Pay and buy his enmity Who muddles chance with oddity

G.U. Pope Translation

Unseemly are his deeds, yet proffering aid, the man draws nigh:His hate- 'tis cheap at any price- be sure to buy

Plain-English Meaning

It is indeed necessary to obtain even by purchase the hatred of him who having begun (a work) does what is not conductive (to its accomplishment)

ஒரு செயலைத் தொடங்கி விட்டு, அதன் நலத்திற்குப் பொருந்தாதவற்றைச் செய்யும் அரசின் பகைமையைச், சிலவற்றை அழியக் கொடுத்தாவது உறுதியாகப் பெற வேண்டும்.

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