Thirukkural 889 in English

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

Tamil original

எட்பக வன்ன சிறுமைத்தே ஆயினும்
உட்பகை உள்ளதாங் கேடு.

Transliteration

Etpaka Vanna Sirumaiththe Aayinum
Utpakai Ulladhaang Ketu

English Translation

“Ruin lurks in enmity As slit in sesame though it be”

Plain-English meaning

Although internal hatred be as small as the fragment of the sesamum (seed), still does destruction dwell in it

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

Ruin lurks in enmity As slit in sesame though it be

G.U. Pope Translation

Though slight as shred of 'seasame' seed it be,Destruction lurks in hidden enmity

Plain-English Meaning

Although internal hatred be as small as the fragment of the sesamum (seed), still does destruction dwell in it

எள்ளின் பிளவு போல உட்பகை சிறியதாக இருக்கலாம்; என்றாலம் உட்பகை உள்ள கட்சிக்குள்ளேயே அதன் கேடும் இருக்கிறதாம்.

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