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
Modern English
“When someone close to a shared task keeps acting against its purpose, it may be necessary to treat that opposition openly, even at a cost.”
Modern Interpretation
When someone close to a shared task keeps acting against its purpose, it may be necessary to treat that opposition openly, even at a cost. For example, a team may have to end a partnership with a member who repeatedly sabotages its work.
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Modern Plain English
When someone close to a shared task keeps acting against its purpose, it may be necessary to treat that opposition openly, even at a cost.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
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)
Tamil commentary
ஒரு செயலைத் தொடங்கி விட்டு, அதன் நலத்திற்குப் பொருந்தாதவற்றைச் செய்யும் அரசின் பகைமையைச், சிலவற்றை அழியக் கொடுத்தாவது உறுதியாகப் பெற வேண்டும்.
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