Thirukkural 201 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தீவினையார் அஞ்சார் விழுமியார் அஞ்சுவர்
தீவினை என்னும் செருக்கு.
Transliteration
Theevinaiyaar Anjaar Vizhumiyaar Anjuvar
Theevinai Ennum Serukku
Modern English
“People who are used to doing wrong stop feeling any fear about it, but genuinely good people feel afraid even of the passing thrill that comes with a bad deed.”
Modern Interpretation
People who are used to doing wrong stop feeling any fear about it, but genuinely good people feel afraid even of the passing thrill that comes with a bad deed. That fear is what keeps their conscience sharp. For example, someone with a history of cutting corners won't think twice before cheating on a test, while an honest student feels uneasy just imagining it.
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Modern Plain English
People who are used to doing wrong stop feeling any fear about it, but genuinely good people feel afraid even of the passing thrill that comes with a bad deed.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Sinners fear not the pride of sin The worthy dread the ill within
G.U. Pope Translation
With sinful act men cease to feel the dread of ill within,The excellent will dread the wanton pride of cherished sin
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Those who have experience of evil deeds will not fear, but the excellent will fear the pride of sin
Tamil commentary
தீமை என்னும் மயக்கத்தைச் செய்ய, முன்னைத் தீவினை உடையவர் பயப்படமாட்டார்; பெரியவர்களோ பயப்படுவர்.
Chapter 21
More from Dread of Evil Deeds
தீவினையச்சம்
Sinners fear not the pride of sin The worthy dread the ill within
Kural 202Since evil begets evil dire Fear ye evil more than fire
Kural 203The wisest of the wise are those Who injure not even their foes
Kural 204His ruin virtue plots who plans The ruin of another man's
Kural 205Who makes poverty plea for ill Shall reduce himself poorer still
Kural 206From wounding others let him refrain Who would from harm himself remain
Kural 207Men may escape other foes and live But sin its deadly blow will give
Kural 208Ruin follows who evil do As shadow follows as they go
Kural 209Let none who loves himself at all Think of evil however small
Kural 210He is secure, know ye, from ills Who slips not right path to do evils