Thirukkural 319 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பிறர்க்கின்னா முற்பகல் செய்யின் தமக்குஇன்னா
பிற்பகல் தாமே வரும்.
Transliteration
Pirarkkinnaa Murpakal Seyyin Thamakku
Innaa Pirpakal Thaame Varum
Modern English
“Harm done to others can return to the person who caused it, often when they least expect it.”
Modern Interpretation
Harm done to others can return to the person who caused it, often when they least expect it. The verse pictures this return as quickly as morning wrongdoing followed by evening trouble. For example, a false rumor may later destroy the trust the rumor-spreader needs from others.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Harm done to others can return to the person who caused it, often when they least expect it.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Harm others in the forenoon Harm seeks thee in afternoon
G.U. Pope Translation
If, ere the noontide, you to others evil do,Before the eventide will evil visit you
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
If a man inflict sorrow upon others in the morning, it will come upon him unsought in the very evening
Tamil commentary
அடுத்தவர்க்குத் தீமையைக் காலையில் செய்தால், நமக்குத் தீமை நம்மைத் தேடி மாலையில் தானாக வரும்.
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