Thirukkural 302 in English

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

Tamil original

செல்லா இடத்துச் சினந்தீது செல்லிடத்தும்
இல்அதனின் தீய பிற.

Transliteration

Sellaa Itaththuch Chinandheedhu Sellitaththum
Iladhanin Theeya Pira

English Translation

“Vain is wrath against men of force Against the meek it is still worse”

Plain-English meaning

Anger is bad, even when it cannot injure; when it can injure; there is no greater evil

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Vain is wrath against men of force Against the meek it is still worse

G.U. Pope Translation

Where power is none to wreak thy wrath, wrath importent is ill;Where thou hast power thy will to work, 'tis greater, evil still

Plain-English Meaning

Anger is bad, even when it cannot injure; when it can injure; there is no greater evil

பலிக்காத இடத்தில் கோபம் கொள்வது நமக்கே தீமை; பலிக்கும் இடத்தில் கோபம் கொண்டாலும் அதை விடத் தீமை வேறு இல்லை.

Chapter 31

வெகுளாமை

Anger against the weak is wrong It is futile against the strong

Vain is wrath against men of force Against the meek it is still worse

Off with wrath with any one It is the source of sin and pain

Is there a foe like harmful ire Which kills the smile and joyful cheer?

Thyself to save, from wrath away! If not thyself the wrath will slay

Friend-killer is the fatal rage It burns the helpful kinship-barge

The wrath-lover to doom is bound Like failless-hand that strikes the ground

Save thy soul from burning ire Though tortured like the touch of fire

Wishes he gains as he wishes If man refrains from rage vicious!

Dead are they who are anger-fed Saints are they from whom wrath has fled