The Kural
All chapters › Wealth (பொருட்பால்) › Chapter 88
பகைத்திறம் தெரிதல்
Kurals 871–880 of the Thirukkural, in the book of Wealth (பொருட்பால்).
பகைஎன்னும் பண்பி லதனை ஒருவன்
நகையேயும் வேண்டற்பாற்று அன்று.
For Hate, that ill-conditioned thing not e'en in jest.
Let any evil longing rule your breast.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Hostility is not something to want, not even as a joke.
Open in the appவில்லேர் உழவர் பகைகொளினும் கொள்ளற்க
சொல்லேர் உழவர் பகை.
Although you hate incur of those whose ploughs are bows,
Make not the men whose ploughs are words your foes!
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Better to make an enemy of a warrior with a bow than of an adviser whose weapon is words.
Open in the appஏமுற் றவரினும் ஏழை தமியனாய்ப்
பல்லார் பகைகொள் பவன்.
Than men of mind diseased, a wretch more utterly forlorn,
Is he who stands alone, object of many foeman's scorn.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Someone who makes many enemies on their own is crazier than the mad.
Open in the appபகைநட்பாக் கொண்டொழுகும் பண்புடை யாளன்
தகைமைக்கண் தங்கிற்று உலகு.
The world secure on his dexterity depends,
Whose worthy rule can change his foes to friends.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: The world rests on good-natured people who can turn enemies into friends.
Open in the appதன்துணை இன்றால் பகையிரண்டால் தான்ஒருவன்
இன்துணையாக் கொள்கவற்றின் ஒன்று.
Without ally, who fights with twofold enemy o'ermatched,
Must render one of these a friend attached.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: If you're alone against two rivals, make one of them your ally.
Open in the appதேறினும் தேறா விடினும் அழிவின்கண்
தேறான் பகாஅன் விடல்.
Whether you trust or not, in time of sore distress,
Questions of diff'rence or agreement cease to press.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Whether or not a rival knows you're struggling, don't get too close and don't make a clean break.
Open in the appநோவற்க நொந்தது அறியார்க்கு மேவற்க
மென்மை பகைவர் அகத்து.
To those who know them not, complain not of your woes;
Nor to your foeman's eyes infirmities disclose.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Don't tell your troubles to friends who don't know about them, and never show weakness to rivals.
Open in the appவகையறிந்து தற்செய்து தற்காப்ப மாயும்
பகைவர்கண் பட்ட செருக்கு.
Know thou the way, then do thy part, thyself defend;
Thus shall the pride of those that hate thee have an end.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Know what you're doing and get the right support, and your rivals' gloating is over.
Open in the appஇளைதாக முள்மரம் கொல்க களையுநர்
கைகொல்லும் காழ்த்த இடத்து.
Destroy the thorn, while tender point can work thee no offence;
Matured by time, 'twill pierce the hand that plucks it thence.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Cut a thorny tree while it's young; once grown, it will cut the hand that tries.
Open in the appஉயிர்ப்ப உளரல்லர் மன்ற செயிர்ப்பவர்
செம்மல் சிதைக்கலா தார்.
But breathe upon them, and they surely die,
Who fail to tame the pride of angry enemy.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: People who don't deal with the arrogance of their enemies won't survive long.
Open in the app