21.1 Fear of Evil

 21.1 Fear of Evil

Question:

Should we be always afraid of doing evil deeds? 

Answer:

One must fear evil more than fire as one evil leads to another evil.             (Couplet – 202)

Ruin follows evildoers like a man's shadow follows his footsteps.                 (Couplet – 208)

If you love yourself, refrain from doing any evil to others.                              (Couplet – 209) 

தீயவை தீய பயத்தலால் தீயவை

தீயினும் அஞ்சப் படும்.                                                                                                  (குறள் – 202)

தீயவை செய்தார் கெடுதல் நிழல்தன்னை

வீயாது அடிஉறைந் தற்று.                                                                                            (குறள் – 208)

தன்னைத்தான் காதல னாயின் எனைத்தொன்றும்

துன்னற்க தீவினைப் பால்.                                                                                       (குறள் – 209)

 

Explanation:

One who does evil to others will always face evil consequences. Nothing good will ever come out of doing evil to others. If we come in contact with fire, it will undoubtedly hurt us. Although fire tends to hurt, sometimes it is beneficial. But there is nothing beneficial in doing an evil deed. Therefore, one should be more fearful of doing evil than fire. Since evil results in evil, anyone who loves himself should stay away from doing evil deeds to others.