Thirukkural 878 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
வகையறிந்து தற்செய்து தற்காப்ப மாயும்
பகைவர்கண் பட்ட செருக்கு.
Transliteration
Vakaiyarindhu Tharseydhu Tharkaappa Maayum
Pakaivarkan Patta Serukku
Modern English
“Know how to act, strengthen yourself, and protect your position; then an enemy's pride will fade.”
Modern Interpretation
Know how to act, strengthen yourself, and protect your position; then an enemy's pride will fade. For example, a prepared team with clear plans and reliable support can quiet a rival's confidence.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
Know how to act, strengthen yourself, and protect your position; then an enemy's pride will fade.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Know how and act and defend well The pride of enemies shall fall
G.U. Pope Translation
Know thou the way, then do thy part, thyself defend;Thus shall the pride of those that hate thee have an end
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The joy of one's foes will be destroyed if one guards oneself by knowing the way (of acting) and securing assistance
Tamil commentary
ஒரு செயலைச் செய்ய வேண்டிய முறையை அறிந்து, நம்மைப் பலப்படுத்துவதுடன் ரகசியங்களையும் நாம் காத்துக் கொண்டால், பகைவர் தங்கள் மனத்துள் நம்மை எதிர்க்க எண்ணிய செருக்கு அழியும்.
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