Thirukkural 128 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஒன்றானுந் தீச்சொல் பொருட்பயன் உண்டாயின்
நன்றாகா தாகி விடும்.
Transliteration
Ondraanun Theechchol Porutpayan Untaayin
Nandraakaa Thaaki Vitum
Modern English
“A single cruel or careless remark can undo the goodwill built by everything kind you've said before it.”
Modern Interpretation
A single cruel or careless remark can undo the goodwill built by everything kind you've said before it. People tend to remember the one sharp comment more than the many gentle ones. For example, a manager who gives ten pieces of encouraging feedback can lose an employee's trust with just one humiliating comment made in front of others.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A single cruel or careless remark can undo the goodwill built by everything kind you've said before it.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Even a single evil word Will turn all good results to bad
G.U. Pope Translation
Though some small gain of good it seem to bring,The evil word is parent still of evil thing
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
If a man's speech be productive of a single evil, all the good by him will be turned into evil
Tamil commentary
தீய சொற்களின் பொருளால் பிறர்க்கு வரும் துன்பம் சிறிதே என்றாலும் அந்தக் குறை ஒருவனிடம் இருந்தால் அவனுக்குப் பிற அறங்களால் வரும் நன்மையம் தீமையாகப் போய்விடும்.
Chapter 13
More from The Possession of Self-restraint
அடக்கம் உடைமை
Self-rule leads to realms of gods Indulgence leads to gloomy hades
Kural 122No gains with self-control measure Guard with care this great treasure
Kural 123Knowing wisdom who lives controlled Name and fame seek him untold
Kural 124Firmly fixed in self serene The sage looks grander than mountain
Kural 125Humility is good for all To the rich it adds a wealth special
Kural 126Who senses five like tortoise hold Their joy prolongs to births sevenfold
Kural 127Rein the tongue if nothing else Or slips of tongue bring all the woes
Kural 128Even a single evil word Will turn all good results to bad
Kural 129The fire-burnt wounds do find a cure Tongue-burnt wound rests a running sore
Kural 130Virtue seeks and peeps to see Self-controlled savant anger free