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
Modern English
“Anger is harmful when directed at someone stronger, but it is even worse when used against someone who cannot fight back.”
Modern Interpretation
Anger is harmful when directed at someone stronger, but it is even worse when used against someone who cannot fight back. Power makes angry behavior more dangerous, not more acceptable. For example, a manager should not unload frustration on a new employee just because the employee has less authority.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Anger is harmful when directed at someone stronger, but it is even worse when used against someone who cannot fight back.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Anger is bad, even when it cannot injure; when it can injure; there is no greater evil
Tamil commentary
பலிக்காத இடத்தில் கோபம் கொள்வது நமக்கே தீமை; பலிக்கும் இடத்தில் கோபம் கொண்டாலும் அதை விடத் தீமை வேறு இல்லை.
Chapter 31
More from Restraining Anger
வெகுளாமை
Anger against the weak is wrong It is futile against the strong
Kural 302Vain is wrath against men of force Against the meek it is still worse
Kural 303Off with wrath with any one It is the source of sin and pain
Kural 304Is there a foe like harmful ire Which kills the smile and joyful cheer?
Kural 305Thyself to save, from wrath away! If not thyself the wrath will slay
Kural 306Friend-killer is the fatal rage It burns the helpful kinship-barge
Kural 307The wrath-lover to doom is bound Like failless-hand that strikes the ground
Kural 308Save thy soul from burning ire Though tortured like the touch of fire
Kural 309Wishes he gains as he wishes If man refrains from rage vicious!
Kural 310Dead are they who are anger-fed Saints are they from whom wrath has fled