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

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

He will become friendless who is without (any good) qualities and whose faults are many; (such a character) is a help to (his) foes

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

He will become friendless who is without (any good) qualities and whose faults are many; (such a character) is a help to (his) foes

நல்ல குணங்கள் இல்லாமல் குற்றங்கள் பலவும் உடைய அரசிற்குத் துணை இல்லாது போகும். துணை இல்லாது இருப்பதே அந்த அரசின் பகைவர்க்கு பலம்.

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