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← Ch 25: Compassion
துறவறவியல் Kural 250
Kural 250

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valiyārmuṉ taṉṉai niṉaikkatāṉ taṉṉiṉ / meliyārmēṟ cellu miṭattu

🎬 குறள் கதை · Story
G.U. Pope1886

“When weaker men you front with threat'ning brow, / Think how you felt in presence of some stronger foe.”

V.V.S. Aiyar1916

“When thou art tempted to oppress the weak, consider how it would be for thee to tremble before a stronger.”

Modern readingAI draft

When tempted to oppress someone weaker than yourself, remember how you trembled with fear when standing before someone stronger.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary

13th century · public domain

Parimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.

வலியார் முன் தன்னை நினைக்க= தன்னின் வலியார் தன்னை நலிய வரும்பொழுது, அவர்முன் தான் அஞ்சி நிற்கும் நிலையினை நினைக்க; தான் தன்னின் மெலியார்மேல் செல்லுமிடத்து= அருள் இல்லாதவன் தன்னின் எளியார்மேல் தான் நலியச் செல்லும் பொழுது.

Source: Tamil Wikisource

In plain EnglishAI draft · pending review

When tempted to oppress someone weaker than yourself, remember how you trembled with fear when standing before someone stronger.

This verse is in tension

Unresolved against Kural 861
Remember the weaker man and spare him — and pick him as your enemy
மெலியவரை நினைத்து விட்டுவிடு; அதே மெலியவரையே பகைவராகத் தேர்ந்துகொள்

Avoid taking up enmity with those stronger than you; toward the weaker, want that enmity and never let it go.

AI draft · pending scholar review