Thirukkural 315 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அறிவினான் ஆகுவ துண்டோ பிறிதின்நோய்
தந்நோய்போல் போற்றாக் கடை.
Transliteration
Arivinaan Aakuva Thunto Piridhinnoi
Thannoipol Potraak Katai
Modern English
“Knowledge has little value if it does not help us protect others from pain as carefully as we protect ourselves.”
Modern Interpretation
Knowledge has little value if it does not help us protect others from pain as carefully as we protect ourselves. Understanding becomes wisdom only when it leads to care. For example, someone who knows how humiliating bullying feels should step in when another person is being targeted.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Knowledge has little value if it does not help us protect others from pain as carefully as we protect ourselves.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
What does a man from wisdom gain If he pines not at other's pain?
G.U. Pope Translation
From wisdom's vaunted lore what doth the learner gain,If as his own he guard not others' souls from pain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
What benefit has he derived from his knowledge, who does not endeavour to keep off pain from another as much as from himself ?
Tamil commentary
அடுத்த உயிர்க்கு வரும் துன்பத்தைத் தமக்கு வந்ததாக எண்ணாவிட்டால், அறிவைப் பெற்றதால் ஆகும் பயன்தான் என்ன?
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