தீமையைத் தண்டிக்க முடியும் என்றபோதும் பொறுத்துக் கொள்க; அந்தத் தீமையை மனத்துள் வைக்காமல் மறந்தே விடுவது பொறுத்தலையும் விட நல்லது.

அளவுகடந்து செய்யப்பட்ட தீங்கைப் பொறுத்துக் கொள்வதைக் காட்டிலும், அந்தத் தீங்கை அறவே மறந்து விடுவதே சிறந்த பண்பாகும்

வரம்பு கடந்து பிறர் செய்யும் தீங்கை எப்போதும் பொறுக்க வேண்டும்; அத் தீங்கை நினைவிலும் கொள்ளாமல் மறந்து விடுதல் பொறுத்தலை விட நல்லது.

Bear with reproach even when you can retaliate; but to forget it will be still better than that

Kural 152 emphasizes the virtues of patience and forgiveness. It advises that when one is faced with an insult or a wrongdoing, the best course of action is not to retaliate, even if one is capable of doing so. This demonstrates the strength and nobility of one's character, as it takes immense self-restraint and moral courage to avoid the impulse of tit-for-tat. However, the verse goes a step further by stating that simply tolerating the offense is not enough. It encourages one to completely forget the offense, to erase it from their memory. This is considered an even higher virtue than bearing with the offense. The rationale behind this advice is that holding onto the memory of the offense can lead to resentment and bitterness, which can poison one's mind and heart over time. By completely forgetting the offense, one frees themselves from these negative emotions and maintains their inner peace and happiness. In a broader societal context, this practice of forgiveness and forgetting promotes harmony and reduces conflict, as it prevents the perpetuation of revenge and hostility. In summary, this verse is a profound teaching on the power of forgiveness, encouraging us to not only tolerate but also forget the wrongs done to us, for our own peace and well-being as well as for the overall health of our relationships and communities.