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

English Translation

“Cut off thorn-trees when young they are; Grown hard, they cut your hands beware”

Plain-English meaning

A thorny tree should be felled while young, (for) when it is grown it will destroy the hand of the feller

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

A thorny tree should be felled while young, (for) when it is grown it will destroy the hand of the feller

நம்மை அழி்க்க எண்ணும் முள் மரத்தை அது வளரும்போதே அழி்த்து விடுக; வளர்ந்து விட்டால் அழிக்க எண்ணுபவரின் கையை அது அழிக்கும்.

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