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

English Translation

“To forget good turns is not good Good it is over wrong not to brood”

Plain-English meaning

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)

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

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)

ஒருவன் நமக்குச் செய்த உதவியை மறப்பது அறம் அன்று; அவன் செய்த தீமையை அப்போதே மறப்பது அறம்

Chapter 11

செய்ந்நன்றியறிதல்

Unhelped in turn good help given Exceeds in worth earth and heaven

A help rendered in hour of need Though small is greater than the world

Help rendered without weighing fruits Outweighs the sea in grand effects

Help given though millet-small Knowers count its good palm-tree tall

A help is not the help's measure It is gainer's worth and pleasure

Forget not friendship of the pure Forsake not timely helpers sure

Through sevenfold births, in memory fares The willing friend who wiped one's tears

To forget good turns is not good Good it is over wrong not to brood

Let deadly harms be forgotten While remembering one good-turn

The virtue-killer may be saved Not benefit-killer who is damned