Thirukkural · பொருட்பால் · படைச் செருக்கு

Thirukkural 773

Chapter 78: படைச் செருக்கு (Military Spirit) · Wealth

Kural 773

பேராண்மை என்ப தறுகண்ஒன் றுற்றக்கால்
ஊராண்மை மற்றதன் எஃகு.

Peraanmai Enpa Tharukanon Rutrakkaal
Ooraanmai Matradhan Eqku

Fierceness in hour of strife heroic greatness shows; Its edge is kindness to our suffering foes

Meaning

The learned say that fierceness (incontest with a foe) is indeed great valour; but to become a benefactor in case of accident (to a foe) is the extreme (limit) of that valour.

Plain English meaning from the 19th-century prose translation by W. H. Drew and John Lazarus. The verse above is G. U. Pope's translation (1886).

Other kurals in படைச் செருக்கு

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