Thirukkural 908 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நட்டார் குறைமுடியார் நன்றாற்றார் நன்னுதலாள்
பெட் டாங்கு ஒழுகு பவர்.
Transliteration
Nattaar Kuraimutiyaar Nandraatraar Nannudhalaal
Pettaangu Ozhuku Pavar
Modern English
“People who blindly follow a partner’s wishes may neglect friends in need and fail to do what is right.”
Modern Interpretation
People who blindly follow a partner’s wishes may neglect friends in need and fail to do what is right. For example, they may cancel a promise to help a friend because their partner wants their time elsewhere.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People who blindly follow a partner’s wishes may neglect friends in need and fail to do what is right.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
By fair-browed wives who are governed Help no friends nor goodness tend
G.U. Pope Translation
Who to the will of her with beauteous brow their lives conform,Aid not their friends in need, nor acts of charity perform
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Those who yield to the wishes of their wives will neither relieve the wants of (their) friends nor perform virtuous deeds
Tamil commentary
தம் மனைவி விரும்பியபடியே வாழ்பவர், தம் நண்பர்க்கு ஏற்பட்ட குறையைப் போக்கமாட்டார் நல்லதும் செய்யமாட்டார்.
Chapter 91
More from Being led by Women
பெண்வழிச் சேறல்
Who dote on wives lose mighty gain That lust, dynamic men disdain
Kural 902Who dotes, unmanly, on his dame His wealth to him and all is shame
Kural 903Who's servile to his wife always Shy he feels before the wise
Kural 904Fearing his wife salvationless The weaklings' action has no grace
Kural 905Who fears his wife fears always Good to do to the good and wise
Kural 906Who fear douce arms of their wives Look petty even with god-like lives
Kural 907Esteemed more is women bashful Than man servile unto her will
Kural 908By fair-browed wives who are governed Help no friends nor goodness tend
Kural 909No virtue riches nor joy is seen In those who submit to women
Kural 910Thinkers strong and broad of heart By folly on fair sex do not dote