Tirukural/Chapter 21

Kural-201 With sinful act men cease to feel the dread of ill within, The excellent will dread the wanton pride of cherished sin. Those who have experience of evil deeds will not fear, but the excellent will fear the pride of sin.

Kural-202 Since evils new from evils ever grow, Evil than fire works out more dreaded woe. Because evil produces evil, therefore should evil be feared more than fire.

Kural-203 Even to those that hate make no return of ill; So shalt thou wisdom's highest law, 'tis said, fulfil. To do no evil to enemies will be called the chief of all virtues.

Kural-204 Though good thy soul forget, plot not thy neighbour's fall, Thy plans shall 'virtue's Power' by ruin to thyself forestall. Even though forgetfulness meditate not the ruin of another. Virtue will meditate the ruin of him who thus meditates.

Kural-205 Make not thy poverty a plea for ill; Thy evil deeds will make thee poorer still. Commit not evil, saying, "I am poor": if you do, you will become poorer still.

Kural-206 What ranks as evil spare to do, if thou would'st shun Affliction sore through ill to thee by others done. Let him not do evil to others who desires not that sorrows should pursue him.

Kural-207 From every enmity incurred there is to 'scape, a way; The wrath of evil deeds will dog men's steps, and slay. However great be the enmity men have incurred they may still live. The enmity of sin will incessantly pursue and kill.

Kural-208 Man's shadow dogs his steps where'er he wends; Destruction thus on sinful deeds attends. Destruction will dwell at the heels of those who commit evil even as their shadow that leaves them not.

Kural-209 Beware, if to thyself thyself is dear, Lest thou to aught that ranks as ill draw near! If a man love himself, let him not commit any sin however small.

Kural-210 The man, to devious way of sin that never turned aside, From ruin rests secure, whatever ills betide. Know ye that he is freed from destruction who commits no evil, going to neither side of the right path.