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

English Translation

“To breathe on earth they are not fit Defying foes who don't defeat”

Plain-English meaning

Those who do not destroy the pride of those who hate (them) will certainly not exist even to breathe

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

Those who do not destroy the pride of those who hate (them) will certainly not exist even to breathe

நம்மைப் பகைப்பவரின் செருக்கை ஏளனமாய் எண்ணி அழிக்காமல் விடுபவர், மூச்சு விடும் நேரத்திற்குள் பகைவரால் நிச்சயம் அழிக்கப்பவர்.

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