Thirukkural 879 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
இளைதாக முள்மரம் கொல்க களையுநர்
கைகொல்லும் காழ்த்த இடத்து.
Transliteration
Ilaidhaaka Mulmaram Kolka Kalaiyunar
Kaikollum Kaazhththa Itaththu
Modern English
“Deal with a growing threat while it is still small; once it grows, removing it can hurt the person who tries.”
Modern Interpretation
Deal with a growing threat while it is still small; once it grows, removing it can hurt the person who tries. For example, report repeated harassment early instead of waiting until it damages the whole group.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Deal with a growing threat while it is still small; once it grows, removing it can hurt the person who tries.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Cut off thorn-trees when young they are; Grown hard, they cut your hands beware
G.U. Pope Translation
Destroy the thorn, while tender point can work thee no offence;Matured by time, 'twill pierce the hand that plucks it thence
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
A thorny tree should be felled while young, (for) when it is grown it will destroy the hand of the feller
Tamil commentary
நம்மை அழி்க்க எண்ணும் முள் மரத்தை அது வளரும்போதே அழி்த்து விடுக; வளர்ந்து விட்டால் அழிக்க எண்ணுபவரின் கையை அது அழிக்கும்.
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