Thirukkural 312 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கறுத்துஇன்னா செய்தவக் கண்ணும் மறுத்தின்னா
செய்யாமை மாசற்றார் கோள்.
Transliteration
Karuththuinnaa Seydhavak Kannum Maruththinnaa
Seyyaamai Maasatraar Kol
Modern English
“A person of character does not return harm for harm, even when someone has deliberately wronged them.”
Modern Interpretation
A person of character does not return harm for harm, even when someone has deliberately wronged them. Refusing revenge protects your own integrity. For example, answering a hostile classmate with clear boundaries instead of an insult keeps the conflict from spreading.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A person of character does not return harm for harm, even when someone has deliberately wronged them.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The spotless hearts seek not revenge Though Malice does the worst in rage
G.U. Pope Translation
Though malice work its worst, planning no ill return, to endure,And work no ill, is fixed decree of men in spirit pure
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
It is the determination of the spotless not to do evil, even in return, to those who have cherished enmity and done them evil
Tamil commentary
நம்மீது கோபம் கொண்டு தீமை செய்தாலும், பதிலுக்குத் தீமை செய்யாதிருப்பது குற்றமற்றவரின் கொள்கை.
Chapter 32
More from Not doing Evil
இன்னா செய்யாமை
The pure by faith mean pain to none Though princely wealth by that is won
Kural 312The spotless hearts seek not revenge Though Malice does the worst in rage
Kural 313Revenging even causeless hate Bad-blood breeds and baneful heat
Kural 314Doing good-turns, put them to shame Thus chide the evil who do harm
Kural 315What does a man from wisdom gain If he pines not at other's pain?
Kural 316What you feel as pain to yourself Do it not to the other-self
Kural 317Any, anywhere injure not At any time even in thought
Kural 318How can he injure other souls Who in his life injury feels
Kural 319Harm others in the forenoon Harm seeks thee in afternoon
Kural 320No harm is done by peace-lovers For pains rebound on pain-givers