Thirukkural 207 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
எனைப்பகை யுற்றாரும் உய்வர் வினைப்பகை
வீயாது பின்சென்று அடும்.
Transliteration
Enaippakai Yutraarum Uyvar Vinaippakai
Veeyaadhu Pinsendru Atum
Modern English
“You can survive even the fiercest enemy outside yourself, but the fallout from your own wrongdoing will chase you down no matter how far or how long you run.”
Modern Interpretation
You can survive even the fiercest enemy outside yourself, but the fallout from your own wrongdoing will chase you down no matter how far or how long you run. Outer enemies fade; guilt doesn't. For example, someone who cheats a business partner might avoid that person for years, but the consequences of the act itself rarely leave them alone.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
You can survive even the fiercest enemy outside yourself, but the fallout from your own wrongdoing will chase you down no matter how far or how long you run.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Men may escape other foes and live But sin its deadly blow will give
G.U. Pope Translation
From every enmity incurred there is to 'scape, a way;The wrath of evil deeds will dog men's steps, and slay
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
However great be the enmity men have incurred they may still live The enmity of sin will incessantly pursue and kill
Tamil commentary
எவ்வளவு பெரிய பகையைப் பெற்றவரும் தப்பித்துக் கொள்வர்; ஆனால் தீமை செய்வதால் வரும் பகையோ, அழியாமல் நம் பின் வந்து, நம்மை அழிக்கும்.
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