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Kural 468

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āṟṟiṉ varuntā varuttam palarniṉṟu / pōṟṟiṉum pottup paṭum.

🎬 குறள் கதை · Story
G.U. Pope1886

“On no right system if man toil and strive, / Though many men assist, no work can thrive.”

V.V.S. Aiyar1916

“Behold the man that goeth not to his work the right way about: all his labour will be a waste even if numbers come to his aid.”

Modern readingAI draft

Effort not pursued through a means capable of completing it will expose its flaw even when many people stand together to support it.

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Parimelazhagar’s commentary

13th century · public domain

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

ஆற்றின் வருந்தா வருத்தம்= முடியும் உபாயத்தால் கருமத்தை முயலாத முயற்சி; பலர் நின்று போற்றினும் பொத்துப்படும்= துணைவர் பலர்நின்று புரைபடாமல் காப்பினும் புரைபடும்.

Source: Tamil Wikisource

In plain EnglishAI draft · pending review

Strenuous exertion that fails to follow a proper, workable method will eventually break open and reveal its flaws, even if many allies stand together to prop it up.