The Kural
All chapters › Wealth (பொருட்பால்) › Chapter 87
பகை மாட்சி
Kurals 861–870 of the Thirukkural, in the book of Wealth (பொருட்பால்).
வலியார்க்கு மாறேற்றல் ஓம்புக ஓம்பா
மெலியார்மேல் மேக பகை.
With stronger than thyself, turn from the strife away;
With weaker shun not, rather court the fray.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Don't pick fights with the strong; don't pick on the weak either.
Open in the appஅன்பிலன் ஆன்ற துணையிலன் தான்துவ்வான்
என்பரியும் ஏதிலான் துப்பு.
No kinsman's love, no strength of friends has he;
How can he bear his foeman's enmity?
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: How can someone without love, without strong allies and without strength of their own defeat a strong rival?
Open in the appஅஞ்சும் அறியான் அமைவிலன் ஈகலான்
தஞ்சம் எளியன் பகைக்கு.
A craven thing! knows nought, accords with none, gives nought away;
To wrath of any foe he falls an easy prey.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: To rivals, someone timid, ignorant, unsociable and stingy is very easy to beat.
Open in the appநீங்கான் வெகுளி நிறையிலன் எஞ்ஞான்றும்
யாங்கணும் யார்க்கும் எளிது.
His wrath still blazes, every secret told; each day
This man's in every place to every foe an easy prey.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Someone who can't control their anger or keep secrets is easy for anyone to beat, anytime, anywhere.
Open in the appவழிநோக்கான் வாய்ப்பன செய்யான் பழிநோக்கான்
பண்பிலன் பற்றார்க்கு இனிது.
No way of right he scans, no precepts bind, no crimes affright,
No grace of good he owns; such man's his foes' delight.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Rivals love someone who doesn't learn, doesn't act wisely, doesn't care about criticism and has no good qualities.
Open in the appகாணாச் சினத்தான் கழிபெருங் காமத்தான்
பேணாமை பேணப் படும்.
Blind in his rage, his lustful passions rage and swell;
If such a man mislikes you, like it well.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Having someone blinded by anger and lust as your rival is almost a blessing.
Open in the appகொடுத்தும் கொளல்வேண்டும் மன்ற அடுத்திருந்து
மாணாத செய்வான் பகை.
Unseemly are his deeds, yet proffering aid, the man draws nigh:
His hate- 'tis cheap at any price- be sure to buy!
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: A rival who starts things and then does all the wrong things is worth paying to have.
Open in the appகுணனிலனாய்க் குற்றம் பலவாயின் மாற்றார்க்கு
இனனிலனாம் ஏமாப் புடைத்து.
No gracious gifts he owns, faults many cloud his fame;
His foes rejoice, for none with kindred claim.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Someone with no good qualities and many faults ends up friendless, and that helps their rivals.
Open in the appசெறுவார்க்குச் சேணிகவா இன்பம் அறிவிலா
அஞ்சும் பகைவர்ப் பெறின்.
The joy of victory is never far removed from those
Who've luck to meet with ignorant and timid foes.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: There's no end to the winner's joy when their rivals are both ignorant and timid.
Open in the appகல்லான் வெகுளும் சிறுபொருள் எஞ்ஞான்றும்
ஒல்லானை ஒல்லா தொளி.
The task of angry war with men unlearned in virtue's lore
Who will not meet, glory shall meet him never more.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: If you can't even beat an untrained rival, you'll never shine.
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