Old Tamil Poetry

Thirukkural – 1159

Fire singes only when touched; can it scorch
when out of reach, like lust does?

தொடிற்சுடி னல்லது காமநோய் போல
விடிற்சுட லாற்றுமோ தீ

Lust will scorch you when you’re away from your lover, unlike fire which will burn you only when you touch it.