Thirukkural 190 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஏதிலார் குற்றம்போல் தங்குற்றங் காண்கிற்பின்
தீதுண்டோ மன்னும் உயிர்க்கு.
Transliteration
Edhilaar Kutrampol Thangutrang Kaankirpin
Theedhunto Mannum Uyirkku
Modern English
“If people scrutinized their own mistakes with the same sharp attention they give to other people's mistakes, there would be a lot less unnecessary conflict and hurt in the world.”
Modern Interpretation
If people scrutinized their own mistakes with the same sharp attention they give to other people's mistakes, there would be a lot less unnecessary conflict and hurt in the world. Self-awareness tends to soften judgment of others. For example, someone quick to criticize a friend's mistake might reconsider if they took a moment to remember their own recent slip-up.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
If people scrutinized their own mistakes with the same sharp attention they give to other people's mistakes, there would be a lot less unnecessary conflict and hurt in the world.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
No harm would fall to any man If each his own defect could scan
G.U. Pope Translation
If each his own, as neighbours' faults would scan,Could any evil hap to living man
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
If they observed their own faults as they observe the faults of others, would any evil happen to men ?
Tamil commentary
புறம்பேச அடுத்தவர் குற்றத்தைப் பார்ப்பவர், பேசும் தம் குற்றத்தையும் எண்ணினால், நிலைத்து இருக்கும் உயிர்க்குத் துன்பமும் வருமோ?
Chapter 19
More from Not Backbiting
புறங்கூறாமை
Though a man from virtue strays, To keep from slander brings him praise
Kural 182Who bite behind, and before smile Are worse than open traitors vile
Kural 183Virtue thinks it better to die, Than live to backbite and to lie
Kural 184Though harsh you speak in one's presence Abuse is worse in his absence
Kural 185Who turns to slander makes it plain His praise of virtue is in vain
Kural 186His failings will be found and shown, Who makes another's failings known
Kural 187By pleasing words who make not friends Sever their hearts by hostile trends
Kural 188What will they not to strangers do Who bring their friends' defects to view?
Kural 189The world in mercy bears his load Who rants behind words untoward
Kural 190No harm would fall to any man If each his own defect could scan