Thirukkural 109 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

கொன்றன்ன இன்னா செயினும் அவர்செய்த
ஒன்றுநன்று உள்ளக் கெடும்.

Transliteration

Kondranna Innaa Seyinum Avarseydha
Ondrunandru Ullak Ketum

Modern English

“Even if someone who once helped you does something as hurtful as betrayal later, recalling the good they did earlier can dissolve the pain.”

Modern Interpretation

Even if someone who once helped you does something as hurtful as betrayal later, recalling the good they did earlier can dissolve the pain. It doesn't excuse the wrong, but it can soften the grudge. For example, remembering how a friend once stood up for you can make it easier to forgive them for a later argument.

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Modern Plain English

Even if someone who once helped you does something as hurtful as betrayal later, recalling the good they did earlier can dissolve the pain.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

Let deadly harms be forgotten While remembering one good-turn

G.U. Pope Translation

Effaced straightway is deadliest injury,By thought of one kind act in days gone by

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

Though one inflict an injury great as murder, it will perish before the thought of one benefit (formerly) conferred

Tamil commentary

முன்பு நன்மை செய்தவரே பின்பு நம்மைக் கொலை செய்வது போன்ற தீமையைச் செய்தாலும் அவர் முன்பு செய்த ஒப்பற்ற நன்மையை நினைத்த அளவில் அத்தீமை மறையும்.

Chapter 11

More from Gratitude

செய்ந்நன்றியறிதல்

Read all 10 Kurals →

Kural 101

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

Kural 102

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

Kural 103

Help rendered without weighing fruits Outweighs the sea in grand effects

Kural 104

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

Kural 105

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

Kural 106

Forget not friendship of the pure Forsake not timely helpers sure

Kural 107

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

Kural 108

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

Kural 109

Let deadly harms be forgotten While remembering one good-turn

Kural 110

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