Thirukkural 880 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
உயிர்ப்ப உளரல்லர் மன்ற செயிர்ப்பவர்
செம்மல் சிதைக்கலா தார்.
Transliteration
Uyirppa Ularallar Mandra Seyirppavar
Semmal Sidhaikkalaa Thaar
Modern English
“If you cannot stop a determined enemy from causing harm, your safety may not last.”
Modern Interpretation
If you cannot stop a determined enemy from causing harm, your safety may not last. For example, a serious security flaw left unchecked can eventually bring down an entire service.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
If you cannot stop a determined enemy from causing harm, your safety may not last.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
To breathe on earth they are not fit Defying foes who don't defeat
G.U. Pope Translation
But breathe upon them, and they surely die,Who fail to tame the pride of angry enemy
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Those who do not destroy the pride of those who hate (them) will certainly not exist even to breathe
Tamil commentary
நம்மைப் பகைப்பவரின் செருக்கை ஏளனமாய் எண்ணி அழிக்காமல் விடுபவர், மூச்சு விடும் நேரத்திற்குள் பகைவரால் நிச்சயம் அழிக்கப்பவர்.
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