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
Modern English
“Do not announce your suffering to people who do not understand it, and do not display your weakness before enemies.”
Modern Interpretation
Do not announce your suffering to people who do not understand it, and do not display your weakness before enemies. For example, share a workplace problem with a trusted adviser rather than posting every detail publicly.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Do not announce your suffering to people who do not understand it, and do not display your weakness before enemies.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Relate not your suffering even to friends who are ignorant of it, nor refer to your weakness in the presence of your foes
Tamil commentary
நம் பலம் இன்மையை, தாமாக அறியாத நண்பர்களிடம் சொல்ல வேண்டா; பகைவர்களிடமோ அதைக் காட்டிக் கொள்ளவோ 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