Thirukkural 875 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தன்துணை இன்றால் பகையிரண்டால் தான்ஒருவன்
இன்துணையாக் கொள்கவற்றின் ஒன்று.
Transliteration
Thandhunai Indraal Pakaiyirantaal Thaanoruvan
Indhunaiyaak Kolkavatrin Ondru
Modern English
“When you are alone, without allies, and surrounded by two opponents, turn one of them into a friendly ally.”
Modern Interpretation
When you are alone, without allies, and surrounded by two opponents, turn one of them into a friendly ally. For example, two competing teams may resolve their differences so they can face a larger problem together.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
When you are alone, without allies, and surrounded by two opponents, turn one of them into a friendly ally.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Alone, if two foes you oppose Make one of them your ally close
G.U. Pope Translation
Without ally, who fights with twofold enemy o'ermatched,Must render one of these a friend attached
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
He who is alone and helpless while his foes are two should secure one of them as an agreeable help (to himself)
Tamil commentary
தமக்கோ உதவும் நண்பர் இல்லை; தம்மைப் பகைப்பவரோ இருவர்; அப்போது தனியாக இருக்கும் ஆட்சியாளர், தம்மைப் பகைக்கும் இருவருள் ஒருவனை இனிய நட்பாக மாற்றிக் கொள்க.
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