Thirukkural 129 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தீயினாற் சுட்டபுண் உள்ளாறும் ஆறாதே
நாவினாற் சுட்ட வடு.
Transliteration
Theeyinaar Suttapun Ullaarum Aaraadhe
Naavinaar Sutta Vatu
Modern English
“A burn from fire eventually heals and fades, but the sting of cruel words said to someone can stay with them for years, resurfacing long after the moment has passed.”
Modern Interpretation
A burn from fire eventually heals and fades, but the sting of cruel words said to someone can stay with them for years, resurfacing long after the moment has passed. Words cut in a way that doesn't always show on the outside. For example, an offhand insult from a parent about a child's appearance can be remembered decades later, even after the child has grown up and moved on.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A burn from fire eventually heals and fades, but the sting of cruel words said to someone can stay with them for years, resurfacing long after the moment has passed.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The fire-burnt wounds do find a cure Tongue-burnt wound rests a running sore
G.U. Pope Translation
In flesh by fire inflamed, nature may thoroughly heal the sore;In soul by tongue inflamed, the ulcer healeth never more
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The wound which has been burnt in by fire may heal, but a wound burnt in by the tongue will never heal
Tamil commentary
ஒருவனை மற்றொருவன் தீயால் சுட்ட புண் உடம்பின்மேல் வடுவாக இருந்தாலும் உள்ளத்துக் காயம் காலத்தில் ஆறிப்போய்விடும். ஆனால் கொடிய வார்த்தைகளால் நெஞ்சைச் சுட்ட வடு அதில் புண்ணாகவே கிடந்து ஒரு நாளும் ஆறாது.
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