Thirukkural 313 in English

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

Tamil original

செய்யாமல் செற்றார்க்கும் இன்னாத செய்தபின்
உய்யா விழுமந் தரும்.

Transliteration

Seyyaamal Setraarkkum Innaadha Seydhapin
Uyyaa Vizhuman Tharum

Modern English

“Hurting someone who wronged you without cause brings lasting sorrow instead of relief.”

Modern Interpretation

Hurting someone who wronged you without cause brings lasting sorrow instead of relief. Revenge adds a new wrong to the original one and can trap you in regret. For example, posting private information about a bully may feel satisfying at first, but it can create consequences you cannot undo.

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Tamil pronunciation

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Modern Plain English

Hurting someone who wronged you without cause brings lasting sorrow instead of relief.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

Revenging even causeless hate Bad-blood breeds and baneful heat

G.U. Pope Translation

Though unprovoked thy soul malicious foes should sting,Retaliation wrought inevitable woes will bring

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

In an ascetic inflict suffering even on those who hate him, when he has not done them any evil, it will afterwards give him irretrievable sorrow

Tamil commentary

நாம் ஒரு தீமையும் செய்யாதிருக்க, கோபம் கொண்டு நமக்குத் தீமை செய்தவர்க்கு, நாம் தீமை செய்தால், தப்பிக்க முடியாத அளவு துன்பத்தை அது நமக்குத் தரும்.

Chapter 32

More from Not doing Evil

இன்னா செய்யாமை

Read all 10 Kurals →