Thirukkural 876 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தேறினும் தேறா விடினும் அழிவின்கண்
தேறான் பகாஅன் விடல்.
Transliteration
Thera�num Theraa Vitinum Azhivinkan
Theraan Pakaaan Vital
Modern English
“In a crisis, even if you know someone is an enemy, do not rush into close alliance or open separation; keep a careful balance.”
Modern Interpretation
In a crisis, even if you know someone is an enemy, do not rush into close alliance or open separation; keep a careful balance. For example, cooperate with a rival during an emergency while protecting your own team's interests.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
In a crisis, even if you know someone is an enemy, do not rush into close alliance or open separation; keep a careful balance.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Trust or distrust; during distress Keep aloof; don't mix with foes
G.U. Pope Translation
Whether you trust or not, in time of sore distress,Questions of diff'rence or agreement cease to press
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Though (one's foe is) aware or not of one's misfortune one should act so as neither to join nor separate (from him)
Tamil commentary
ஒருவனது பகையை முன்பே தெரிந்தோ தெரியாமலோ இருந்தாலும், நெருக்கடி வந்தபோது, அவனை நெருங்காமலும் விலக்காமலும் விட்டு விடுக.
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