Thirukkural 202 in English

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

Tamil original

தீயவை தீய பயத்தலால் தீயவை
தீயினும் அஞ்சப் படும்.

Transliteration

Theeyavai Theeya Payaththalaal Theeyavai
Theeyinum Anjap Patum

English Translation

“Since evil begets evil dire Fear ye evil more than fire”

Plain-English meaning

Because evil produces evil, therefore should evil be feared more than fire

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Since evil begets evil dire Fear ye evil more than fire

G.U. Pope Translation

Since evils new from evils ever grow,Evil than fire works out more dreaded woe

Plain-English Meaning

Because evil produces evil, therefore should evil be feared more than fire

நமக்கு நன்மை என்று பிறருக்குச் செய்யும் தீமைகள், நமக்குத் தீமையே தருவதால், தீமைகளைத் தீயினும் கொடியனவாக எண்ணிச் செய்ய அஞ்ச வேண்டும்.

Chapter 21

தீவினையச்சம்

Sinners fear not the pride of sin The worthy dread the ill within

Since evil begets evil dire Fear ye evil more than fire

The wisest of the wise are those Who injure not even their foes

His ruin virtue plots who plans The ruin of another man's

Who makes poverty plea for ill Shall reduce himself poorer still

From wounding others let him refrain Who would from harm himself remain

Men may escape other foes and live But sin its deadly blow will give

Ruin follows who evil do As shadow follows as they go

Let none who loves himself at all Think of evil however small

He is secure, know ye, from ills Who slips not right path to do evils