Thirukkural 873 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஏமுற் றவரினும் ஏழை தமியனாய்ப்
பல்லார் பகைகொள் பவன்.
Transliteration
Emur Ravarinum Ezhai Thamiyanaaip
Pallaar Pakaikol Pavan
Modern English
“A person who stands alone while making enemies of many people is more foolish than someone who has lost good judgment.”
Modern Interpretation
A person who stands alone while making enemies of many people is more foolish than someone who has lost good judgment. For example, a leader who insults every partner soon has no one left to help.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
A person who stands alone while making enemies of many people is more foolish than someone who has lost good judgment.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Forlorn, who rouses many foes The worst insanity betrays
G.U. Pope Translation
Than men of mind diseased, a wretch more utterly forlorn,Is he who stands alone, object of many foeman's scorn
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
He who being alone, incurs the hatred of many is more infatuated than even mad men
Tamil commentary
தன்னந் தனியனாக இருந்து கொண்டு, பலரையும் பகைவர்களாகப் பெறும் ஆட்சியாளன் பித்தரிலும் அறிவற்றவன்.
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