Thirukkural 870 in English

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

Tamil original

கல்லான் வெகுளும் சிறுபொருள் எஞ்ஞான்றும்
ஒல்லானை ஒல்லா தொளி.

Transliteration

Kallaan Vekulum Siruporul Egngnaandrum
Ollaanai Ollaa Tholi

English Translation

“Glory's light he will not gain Who fails to fight a fool and win”

Plain-English meaning

The light (of fame) will never be gained by him who gains not the trifling reputation of having fought an unlearned (foe)

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

Glory's light he will not gain Who fails to fight a fool and win

G.U. Pope Translation

The task of angry war with men unlearned in virtue's loreWho will not meet, glory shall meet him never more

Plain-English Meaning

The light (of fame) will never be gained by him who gains not the trifling reputation of having fought an unlearned (foe)

நீதி நூல்களைக் கல்லாதவனைப் பகைப்பதால் கிடைக்கும் பொருள் சிறிது எனினும், அதை விரும்பாத அரசுக்கு ஒருபோது் புகழ் சேராது.

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