Thirukkural 108 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நன்றி மறப்பது நன்றன்று நன்றல்லது
அன்றே மறப்பது நன்று.
Transliteration
Nandri Marappadhu Nandrandru Nandralladhu
Andre Marappadhu Nandru
Modern English
“It's fine, even wise, to let go of a wrong someone did to you the moment it happens, since holding onto grudges only weighs you down.”
Modern Interpretation
It's fine, even wise, to let go of a wrong someone did to you the moment it happens, since holding onto grudges only weighs you down. But a genuine kindness deserves to be remembered, not brushed aside. For example, forgiving a friend's thoughtless comment quickly, while still remembering the time they helped you through a crisis, shows balanced character.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
It's fine, even wise, to let go of a wrong someone did to you the moment it happens, since holding onto grudges only weighs you down.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
To forget good turns is not good Good it is over wrong not to brood
G.U. Pope Translation
'Tis never good to let the thought of good things done thee pass away;Of things not good, 'tis good to rid thy memory that very day
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
It is not good to forget a benefit; it is good to forget an injury even in the very moment (in which it is inflicted)
Tamil commentary
ஒருவன் நமக்குச் செய்த உதவியை மறப்பது அறம் அன்று; அவன் செய்த தீமையை அப்போதே மறப்பது அறம்
Chapter 11
More from Gratitude
செய்ந்நன்றியறிதல்
Unhelped in turn good help given Exceeds in worth earth and heaven
Kural 102A help rendered in hour of need Though small is greater than the world
Kural 103Help rendered without weighing fruits Outweighs the sea in grand effects
Kural 104Help given though millet-small Knowers count its good palm-tree tall
Kural 105A help is not the help's measure It is gainer's worth and pleasure
Kural 106Forget not friendship of the pure Forsake not timely helpers sure
Kural 107Through sevenfold births, in memory fares The willing friend who wiped one's tears
Kural 108To forget good turns is not good Good it is over wrong not to brood
Kural 109Let deadly harms be forgotten While remembering one good-turn
Kural 110The virtue-killer may be saved Not benefit-killer who is damned