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
Modern English
“Even a tiny hidden resentment can contain the power to cause great destruction.”
Modern Interpretation
Even a tiny hidden resentment can contain the power to cause great destruction. For example, a small rumor left unanswered can grow into a serious split among friends.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Even a tiny hidden resentment can contain the power to cause great destruction.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Although internal hatred be as small as the fragment of the sesamum (seed), still does destruction dwell in it
Tamil commentary
எள்ளின் பிளவு போல உட்பகை சிறியதாக இருக்கலாம்; என்றாலம் உட்பகை உள்ள கட்சிக்குள்ளேயே அதன் கேடும் இருக்கிறதாம்.
Chapter 89
More from Enmity within
உட்பகை
Traitorous kinsmen will make you sad As water and shade do harm when bad
Kural 882You need not sword-like kinsmen fear Fear foes who feign as kinsmen dear
Kural 883The secret foe in days evil Will cut you, beware, like potters' steel
Kural 884The evil-minded foe within Foments trouble, spoils kinsmen!
Kural 885A traitor among kinsmen will Bring life-endangering evil
Kural 886Discord in kings' circle entails Life-destroying deadly evils
Kural 887A house hiding hostiles in core Just seems on like the lid in jar
Kural 888By secret spite the house wears out Like gold crumbling by file's contact
Kural 889Ruin lurks in enmity As slit in sesame though it be
Kural 890Dwell with traitors that hate in heart Is dwelling with snake in selfsame hut