Thirukkural 209 in English

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

Tamil original

தன்னைத்தான் காதல னாயின் எனைத்தொன்றும்
துன்னற்க தீவினைப் பால்.

Transliteration

Thannaiththaan Kaadhala Naayin Enaiththondrum
Thunnarka Theevinaip Paal

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

If a man love himself, let him not commit any sin however small

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Beware, if to thyself thyself is dear,Lest thou to aught that ranks as ill draw near

Plain-English Meaning

If a man love himself, let him not commit any sin however small

தன்மீது அன்புள்ளவன், எவ்வளவு சிறிது என்றாலும் சரி, மற்றவர்க்குத் தீமை செயய வேண்டா.

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