Thirukkural 871 in English

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

Tamil original

பகைஎன்னும் பண்பி லதனை ஒருவன்
நகையேயும் வேண்டற்பாற்று அன்று.

Transliteration

Pakaiennum Panpi Ladhanai Oruvan
Nakaiyeyum Ventarpaatru Andru

English Translation

“Let not one even as a sport The ill-natured enmity court”

Plain-English meaning

The evil of hatred is not of a nature to be desired by one even in sport

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Let not one even as a sport The ill-natured enmity court

G.U. Pope Translation

For Hate, that ill-conditioned thing not e'en in jestLet any evil longing rule your breast

Plain-English Meaning

The evil of hatred is not of a nature to be desired by one even in sport

பகை எனப்படும் பண்பற்ற ஒன்று, விளையாட்டிலும் கூட் விரும்பத்தக்கது அன்று.

Chapter 88

பகைத்திறம் தெரிதல்

Let not one even as a sport The ill-natured enmity court

Incur the hate of bow-ploughers But not the hate of word-ploughers

Forlorn, who rouses many foes The worst insanity betrays

This world goes safely in his grace Whose heart makes friends even of foes

Alone, if two foes you oppose Make one of them your ally close

Trust or distrust; during distress Keep aloof; don't mix with foes

To those who know not, tell not your pain Nor your weakness to foes explain

Know how and act and defend well The pride of enemies shall fall

Cut off thorn-trees when young they are; Grown hard, they cut your hands beware

To breathe on earth they are not fit Defying foes who don't defeat