Thirukkural 877 in English

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

Tamil original

நோவற்க நொந்தது அறியார்க்கு மேவற்க
மென்மை பகைவர் அகத்து.

Transliteration

Novarka Nondhadhu Ariyaarkku Mevarka
Menmai Pakaivar Akaththu

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

Relate not your suffering even to friends who are ignorant of it, nor refer to your weakness in the presence of your foes

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

To those who know them not, complain not of your woes;Nor to your foeman's eyes infirmities disclose

Plain-English Meaning

Relate not your suffering even to friends who are ignorant of it, nor refer to your weakness in the presence of your foes

நம் பலம் இன்மையை, தாமாக அறியாத நண்பர்களிடம் சொல்ல வேண்டா; பகைவர்களிடமோ அதைக் காட்டிக் கொள்ளவோ வேண்டா.

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