Thirukkural 314 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
இன்னாசெய் தாரை ஒறுத்தல் அவர்நாண
நன்னயஞ் செய்து விடல்.
Transliteration
Innaasey Thaarai Oruththal Avarnaana
Nannayanj Cheydhu Vital
Modern English
“The best way to punish someone who harmed you is to answer with such kindness that they feel ashamed of their behavior, then stop keeping score.”
Modern Interpretation
The best way to punish someone who harmed you is to answer with such kindness that they feel ashamed of their behavior, then stop keeping score. This does not excuse the wrong; it refuses to become cruel in return. For example, helping a difficult teammate finish fairly can expose the difference between your conduct and theirs.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
The best way to punish someone who harmed you is to answer with such kindness that they feel ashamed of their behavior, then stop keeping score.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Doing good-turns, put them to shame Thus chide the evil who do harm
G.U. Pope Translation
To punish wrong, with kindly benefits the doers ply;Thus shame their souls; but pass the ill unheeded by
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The (proper) punishment to those who have done evil (to you), is to put them to shame by showing them kindness, in return and to forget both the evil and the good done on both sides
Tamil commentary
நமக்குத் தீமை செய்தவரைத் தண்டிக்கும் வழி, அவர் வெட்கப்படும்படி அவருக்கு நன்மையைச் செய்து அவர் செய்த தீமையையும், நாம் செய்த நன்மையையும் மறந்துவிடுவதே.
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