Thirukkural 316 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
இன்னா எனத்தான் உணர்ந்தவை துன்னாமை
வேண்டும் பிறன்கண் செயல்.
Transliteration
Innaa Enaththaan Unarndhavai Thunnaamai
Ventum Pirankan Seyal
Modern English
“Do not do to another person what you already know causes pain from your own experience.”
Modern Interpretation
Do not do to another person what you already know causes pain from your own experience. Your past suffering can teach you how to treat others better. For example, if being left out once hurt you, make room for the new person instead of repeating it.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Do not do to another person what you already know causes pain from your own experience.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
What you feel as pain to yourself Do it not to the other-self
G.U. Pope Translation
What his own soul has felt as bitter pain,From making others feel should man abstain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Let not a man consent to do those things to another which, he knows, will cause sorrow
Tamil commentary
தீமை எனத் தான் அறிந்தவற்றை அடுத்தவர்க்குச் செய்யாது இருக்க வேண்டும்.
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