Thirukkural 307 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
சினத்தைப் பொருளென்று கொண்டவன் கேடு
நிலத்தறைந்தான் கைபிழையா தற்று.
Transliteration
Sinaththaip Porulendru Kontavan Ketu
Nilaththaraindhaan Kaipizhaiyaa Thatru
Modern English
“Treating anger as a sign of strength only makes you suffer, just as striking the ground hurts the hand that hits it.”
Modern Interpretation
Treating anger as a sign of strength only makes you suffer, just as striking the ground hurts the hand that hits it. Anger punishes its owner even when it seems powerful. For example, slamming a desk may frighten others for a moment, but it leaves you hurt, embarrassed, and less trusted.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Treating anger as a sign of strength only makes you suffer, just as striking the ground hurts the hand that hits it.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The wrath-lover to doom is bound Like failless-hand that strikes the ground
G.U. Pope Translation
The hand that smites the earth unfailing feels the sting;So perish they who nurse their wrath as noble thing
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Destruction will come upon him who ragards anger as a good thing, as surely as the hand of him who strikes the ground will not fail
Tamil commentary
நிலத்தில் அடித்தவன் கை, வேதனையில் இருந்து தப்ப முடியாதது போலக், கோபத்தைக் குணமாகக் கொண்டவனும் வேதனை அனுபவத்திலிருந்து தப்ப முடியாது.
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