Kural 304Chapter 31: Restraining Anger

Thirukkural 304 in English

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

Tamil original

நகையும் உவகையும் கொல்லும் சினத்தின்
பகையும் உளவோ பிற.

Transliteration

Nakaiyum Uvakaiyum Kollum Sinaththin
Pakaiyum Ulavo Pira

Modern English

“Anger is a powerful enemy because it destroys both the smile on your face and the happiness in your heart.”

Modern Interpretation

Anger is a powerful enemy because it destroys both the smile on your face and the happiness in your heart. Nothing steals joy faster than carrying anger everywhere. For example, one unresolved argument can spoil an entire day that could have been peaceful.

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Tamil pronunciation

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Modern Plain English

Anger is a powerful enemy because it destroys both the smile on your face and the happiness in your heart.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Wrath robs the face of smiles, the heart of joy,What other foe to man works such annoy

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

What other foe to man works such annoy?

Tamil commentary

முகத்தில் சிரிப்பையும், மனத்துள் மகிழ்ச்சியையும் கொன்றுவிடும் கோபத்தை விட வேறு பகையும் உண்டோ?

Chapter 31

More from Restraining Anger

வெகுளாமை

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Kural 301

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

Kural 302

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

Kural 303

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

Kural 304

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

Kural 305

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

Kural 306

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

Kural 307

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

Kural 308

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

Kural 309

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

Kural 310

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