Thirukkural 206 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தீப்பால தான்பிறர்கண் செய்யற்க நோய்ப்பால
தன்னை அடல்வேண்டா தான்.
Transliteration
Theeppaala Thaanpirarkan Seyyarka Noippaala
Thannai Atalventaa Thaan
Modern English
“If you don't want pain and trouble finding their way to you, don't cause that same pain to anyone else.”
Modern Interpretation
If you don't want pain and trouble finding their way to you, don't cause that same pain to anyone else. What you send out has a way of returning. For example, someone who never wants to be betrayed should be the first to keep their own promises to others.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
If you don't want pain and trouble finding their way to you, don't cause that same pain to anyone else.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
From wounding others let him refrain Who would from harm himself remain
G.U. Pope Translation
What ranks as evil spare to do, if thou would'st shunAffliction sore through ill to thee by others done
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Let him not do evil to others who desires not that sorrows should pursue him
Tamil commentary
துன்பம் தருவன தன்னைச் சூழ்ந்து வருத்த விரும்பாதவன், பிறர்க்குத் தீமை செய்யக்கூடாது.
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