Thirukkural 318 in English

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

Tamil original

தன்னுயிர்ககு ஏன்னாமை தானறிவான் என்கொலோ
மன்னுயிர்க்கு இன்னா செயல்.

Transliteration

Thannuyirkaku Ennaamai Thaanarivaan Enkolo
Mannuyirkku Innaa Seyal

English Translation

“How can he injure other souls Who in his life injury feels”

Plain-English meaning

Why does a man inflict upon other creatures those sufferings, which he has found by experience are sufferings to himself ?

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

How can he injure other souls Who in his life injury feels

G.U. Pope Translation

Whose soul has felt the bitter smart of wrong, how canHe wrongs inflict on ever-living soul of man

Plain-English Meaning

Why does a man inflict upon other creatures those sufferings, which he has found by experience are sufferings to himself ?

அடுத்தவர் செய்த தீமை தனக்குத் துன்பமானதை அனுபவித்து அறிந்தவன், அடுத்த உயிர்களுக்குத் தீமை செய்ய எண்ணுவது என்ன காரணத்தால்?

Chapter 32

இன்னா செய்யாமை

The pure by faith mean pain to none Though princely wealth by that is won

The spotless hearts seek not revenge Though Malice does the worst in rage

Revenging even causeless hate Bad-blood breeds and baneful heat

Doing good-turns, put them to shame Thus chide the evil who do harm

What does a man from wisdom gain If he pines not at other's pain?

What you feel as pain to yourself Do it not to the other-self

Any, anywhere injure not At any time even in thought

How can he injure other souls Who in his life injury feels

Harm others in the forenoon Harm seeks thee in afternoon

No harm is done by peace-lovers For pains rebound on pain-givers