Kural 897Chapter 90: Not Offending the Great

Thirukkural 897 in English

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

Tamil original

வகைமாண்ட வாழ்க்கையும் வான்பொருளும் என்னாம்
தகைமாண்ட தக்கார் செறின்.

Transliteration

Vakaimaanta Vaazhkkaiyum Vaanporulum Ennaam
Thakaimaanta Thakkaar Serin

Modern English

“Wealth, comfort, and strong institutions mean little if honorable and capable people turn against you.”

Modern Interpretation

Wealth, comfort, and strong institutions mean little if honorable and capable people turn against you. For example, a wealthy leader can still lose everything after betraying the people who made the work possible.

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Tamil pronunciation

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Modern Plain English

Wealth, comfort, and strong institutions mean little if honorable and capable people turn against you.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

If holy mighty sages frown Stately gifts and stores who can own?

G.U. Pope Translation

Though every royal gift, and stores of wealth your life should crown,What are they, if the worthy men of mighty virtue frown

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

If a king incurs the wrath of the righteous great, what will become of his government with its splendid auxiliaries and (all) its untold wealth ?

Tamil commentary

குணங்களால் சிறந்த பெரியவர்கள் சினங்கொள்வார் என்றால், பலத்தால் சிறந்த வாழ்க்கையும், பெரும்பொருளும் எதற்கு ஆகும்?

Chapter 90

More from Not Offending the Great

பெரியாரைப் பிழையாமை

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Kural 891

Not to spite the mighty ones Safest safeguard to living brings

Kural 892

To walk unmindful of the great Shall great troubles ceaseless create

Kural 893

Heed not and do, if ruin you want Offence against the mighty great

Kural 894

The weak who insult men of might Death with their own hands invite

Kural 895

Where can they go and thrive where Pursued by powerful monarch's ire?

Kural 896

One can escape in fire caught The great who offends escapes not

Kural 897

If holy mighty sages frown Stately gifts and stores who can own?

Kural 898

When hill-like sages are held small The firm on earth lose home and all

Kural 899

Before the holy sage's rage Ev'n Indra's empire meets damage

Kural 900

Even mighty aided men shall quail If the enraged holy seers will