Thirukkural 868 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
குணனிலனாய்க் குற்றம் பலவாயின் மாற்றார்க்கு
இனனிலனாம் ஏமாப் புடைத்து.
Transliteration
Kunanilanaaik Kutram Palavaayin Maatraarkku
Inanilanaam Emaap Putaiththu
Modern English
“A person with no good qualities and many faults loses allies, and that loss strengthens the enemy.”
Modern Interpretation
A person with no good qualities and many faults loses allies, and that loss strengthens the enemy. For example, a dishonest leader may find that former supporters leave just when the organization is under pressure.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A person with no good qualities and many faults loses allies, and that loss strengthens the enemy.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
With no virtue but full of vice He loses friends and delights foes
G.U. Pope Translation
No gracious gifts he owns, faults many cloud his fame;His foes rejoice, for none with kindred claim
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
He will become friendless who is without (any good) qualities and whose faults are many; (such a character) is a help to (his) foes
Tamil commentary
நல்ல குணங்கள் இல்லாமல் குற்றங்கள் பலவும் உடைய அரசிற்குத் துணை இல்லாது போகும். துணை இல்லாது இருப்பதே அந்த அரசின் பகைவர்க்கு பலம்.
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