Thirukkural 885 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

உறல்முறையான் உட்பகை தோன்றின் இறல்முறையான்
ஏதம் பலவும் தரும்.

Transliteration

Uralmuraiyaan Utpakai Thondrin Iralmuraiyaan
Edham Palavum Tharum

English Translation

“A traitor among kinsmen will Bring life-endangering evil”

Plain-English meaning

If there appears internal hatred in a (king's) family; it will lead to many a fatal crime

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

A traitor among kinsmen will Bring life-endangering evil

G.U. Pope Translation

Amid one's relatives if hidden hath arise,'Twill hurt inflict in deadly wise

Plain-English Meaning

If there appears internal hatred in a (king's) family; it will lead to many a fatal crime

உறவு முறையை உடையவனே ( சொந்தக் கட்சிக்காரனே) உட்பகையானால், அது சாவோடு கூடிய குற்றம் பலவற்றையும் உண்டாக்கும்.

Chapter 89

உட்பகை

Traitorous kinsmen will make you sad As water and shade do harm when bad

You need not sword-like kinsmen fear Fear foes who feign as kinsmen dear

The secret foe in days evil Will cut you, beware, like potters' steel

The evil-minded foe within Foments trouble, spoils kinsmen!

A traitor among kinsmen will Bring life-endangering evil

Discord in kings' circle entails Life-destroying deadly evils

A house hiding hostiles in core Just seems on like the lid in jar

By secret spite the house wears out Like gold crumbling by file's contact

Ruin lurks in enmity As slit in sesame though it be

Dwell with traitors that hate in heart Is dwelling with snake in selfsame hut