Thirukkural 872 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
வில்லேர் உழவர் பகைகொளினும் கொள்ளற்க
சொல்லேர் உழவர் பகை.
Transliteration
Viller Uzhavar Pakaikolinum Kollarka
Soller Uzhavar Pakai
Modern English
“You may have to face a warrior's hostility, but do not needlessly make an enemy of a skilled speaker or writer.”
Modern Interpretation
You may have to face a warrior's hostility, but do not needlessly make an enemy of a skilled speaker or writer. For example, a thoughtful critic can influence many people with a few well-chosen words.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
You may have to face a warrior's hostility, but do not needlessly make an enemy of a skilled speaker or writer.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Incur the hate of bow-ploughers But not the hate of word-ploughers
G.U. Pope Translation
Although you hate incur of those whose ploughs are bows,Make not the men whose ploughs are words your foes
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Though you may incur the hatred of warriors whose ploughs are bows, incur not that of ministers whose ploughs are words
Tamil commentary
விலலை ஆயுதமாகக் கொண்ட வீரரோடு பகை கொண்டாலும், சொல்லை ஆயுதமாகக் கொண்ட எழுத்தாளரோடு பகை கொள்ள வேண்டா.
Chapter 88
More from Knowing the Quality of Hate
பகைத்திறம் தெரிதல்
Let not one even as a sport The ill-natured enmity court
Kural 872Incur the hate of bow-ploughers But not the hate of word-ploughers
Kural 873Forlorn, who rouses many foes The worst insanity betrays
Kural 874This world goes safely in his grace Whose heart makes friends even of foes
Kural 875Alone, if two foes you oppose Make one of them your ally close
Kural 876Trust or distrust; during distress Keep aloof; don't mix with foes
Kural 877To those who know not, tell not your pain Nor your weakness to foes explain
Kural 878Know how and act and defend well The pride of enemies shall fall
Kural 879Cut off thorn-trees when young they are; Grown hard, they cut your hands beware
Kural 880To breathe on earth they are not fit Defying foes who don't defeat