Thirukkural 208 in English

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

Tamil original

தீயவை செய்தார் கெடுதல் நிழல்தன்னை
வீயாது அஇஉறைந் தற்று.

Transliteration

Theeyavai Seydhaar Ketudhal Nizhaldhannai
Veeyaadhu Atiurain Thatru

English Translation

“Ruin follows who evil do As shadow follows as they go”

Plain-English meaning

Destruction will dwell at the heels of those who commit evil even as their shadow that leaves them not

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

Ruin follows who evil do As shadow follows as they go

G.U. Pope Translation

Man's shadow dogs his steps where'er he wends;Destruction thus on sinful deeds attends

Plain-English Meaning

Destruction will dwell at the heels of those who commit evil even as their shadow that leaves them not

பிறர்க்குத் தீமை செய்தவர் அழிவது, அவரை அவரது நிழல் விடாது கால்களின் கீழே தங்கியிருப்பது போலாம்.

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