871. Silence shares the harm

சொல்லா திருத்தல் செயலோ சுடர்கண்டும்சொல்லான் சுடுவான் துணை

sollaa thiruthal seyalo sudarkandumsollaan suduvaan thunai

Is it right to say nothing? Whoever has seen the flame and still does not speak is partner to the one doing the burning.

872. Remaining blind to harm

காணா தவன்செய்யும் தீமை சிறிதாகும்காணா திருந்தான் கொலை

kaanaa thavanseyyum theemai siridhaakumkaanaa thirundaan kolai

Harm done by one who does not see weighs little; to go on not seeing is killing.

One misses the harm while acting; the other remains unseeing. The Tamil leaves open whether that killing is his deed or his end.

873. What follows an act

வீசியவர் கல்லை மறப்பார் விழுந்தகல்ஆழ இலங்கும் வளை

veesiyavar kallai marappaar vizhundakalaazha ilangum valai

Those who throw a stone forget it; the stone they threw has sunk deep, and its rings gleam on the water.