Wealth (பொருட்பால்) / Royalty
Chapter 50
இடனறிதல்
Knowing the Place
Itanaridhal. Malay: Mengetahui Tempat. Kurals 491 to 500.
When choosing the right place or ground to act.
How to say it
Thotangarka Evvinaiyum Ellarka MutrumItanganta Pinal Ladhu
Meaning in plain English
Let not (a king) despise (an enemy), nor undertake any thing (against him), until he has obtained (a suitable) place for besieging him
Poetic translation
Begin no work of war, depise no foe, Till place where you can wholly circumvent you know
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Muranserndha Moimpi Navarkkum AranserndhaamAakkam Palavun Tharum
Meaning in plain English
Even to those who are men of power and expedients, an attack in connection with a fortification will yield many advantages
Poetic translation
Though skill in war combine with courage tried on battle-field, The added gain of fort doth great advantage yield
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Aatraarum Aatri Atupa ItanarindhuPotraarkan Potrich Cheyin
Meaning in plain English
Even the powerless will become powerful and conquer, if they select a proper field (of action), and guard themselves, while they make war on their enemies
Poetic translation
E'en weak ones mightily prevail, if place of strong defence, They find, protect themselves, and work their foes offence
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Enniyaar Ennam Izhappar ItanarindhuThunniyaar Thunnich Cheyin
Meaning in plain English
If they who draw near (to fight) choose a suitable place to approach (their enemy), the latter, will have to relinquish the thought which they once entertained, of conquering them
Poetic translation
The foes who thought to triumph, find their thoughts were vain, If hosts advance, seize vantage ground, and thence the fight maintain
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Netumpunalul Vellum Mudhalai AtumpunalinNeengin Adhanaip Pira
Meaning in plain English
In deep water, a crocodile will conquer (all other animals); but if it leave the water, other animals will conquer it
Poetic translation
The crocodile prevails in its own flow of water wide, If this it leaves, 'tis slain by anything beside
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Katalotaa Kaalval Netundher KatalotumNaavaayum Otaa Nilaththu
Meaning in plain English
Wide chariots, with mighty wheels, will not run on the ocean; neither will ships that the traverse ocean, move on the earth
Poetic translation
The lofty car, with mighty wheel, sails not o'er watery main, The boat that skims the sea, runs not on earth's hard plain
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Anjaamai Allaal Thunaiventaa EnjaamaiEnni Itaththaal Seyin
Meaning in plain English
You will need no other aid than fearlessness, if you thoroughly reflect (on what you are to do), and select (a suitable) place for your operations
Poetic translation
Save their own fearless might they need no other aid, If in right place they fight, all due provision made
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Sirupataiyaan Sellitam Serin UrupataiyaanOokkam Azhindhu Vitum
Meaning in plain English
The power of one who has a large army will perish, if he goes into ground where only a small army can act
Poetic translation
If lord of army vast the safe retreat assailOf him whose host is small, his mightiest efforts fail
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Sirainalanum Seerum Ilareninum MaandharUrainilaththotu Ottal Aridhu
Meaning in plain English
It is a hazardous thing to attack men in their own country, although they may neither have power nor a good fortress
Poetic translation
Though fort be none, and store of wealth they lack,'Tis hard a people's homesteads to attack
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Kaalaazh Kalaril Nariyatum KannanjaaVelaal Mukaththa Kaliru
Meaning in plain English
A fox can kill a fearless, warrior-faced elephant, if it go into mud in which its legs sink down
Poetic translation
The jackal slays, in miry paths of foot-betraying fen, The elephant of fearless eye and tusks transfixing armed men
G. U. Pope, 1886