Thirukkural 1001 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
வைத்தான்வாய் சான்ற பெரும்பொருள் அஃதுண்ணான்
செத்தான் செயக்கிடந்தது இல்.
Transliteration
Vaiththaanvaai Saandra Perumporul Aqdhunnaan
Seththaan Seyakkitandhadhu Il
Modern English
“A person who piles up wealth but never uses it or shares it gains no real benefit from it.”
Modern Interpretation
A person who piles up wealth but never uses it or shares it gains no real benefit from it. For example, saving every cent while never helping your family or enjoying a simple life leaves the fortune unused.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A person who piles up wealth but never uses it or shares it gains no real benefit from it.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Dead is he with wealth in pile Unenjoyed, it is futile
G.U. Pope Translation
Who fills his house with ample store, enjoying none,Is dead Nought with the useless heap is done
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
He who does not enjoy the immense riches he has heaped up in his house, is (to be reckoned as) dead, (for) there is nothing achieved (by him)
Tamil commentary
தன் வீடு நிறையப் பெரும்பொருள் சேர்த்து வைத்திருந்தும், கஞ்சத்தனத்தால் அதை அனுபவிக்காதவனுக்கு அப்பொருளால் பயன் இல்லை. ஆதலால் அவன் இருந்தாலும் இறந்தவனே.
Chapter 101
More from Wealth without Benefaction
நன்றியில் செல்வம்
Dead is he with wealth in pile Unenjoyed, it is futile
Kural 1002The niggard miser thinks wealth is all He hoards, gives not is born devil
Kural 1003A burden he is to earth indeed Who hoards without a worthy deed
Kural 1004What legacy can he leave behind Who is for approach too unkind
Kural 1005What is the good of crores they hoard To give and enjoy whose heart is hard
Kural 1006Great wealth unused for oneself nor To worthy men is but a slur
Kural 1007Who loaths to help have-nots, his gold Is like a spinster-belle grown old
Kural 1008The idle wealth of unsought men Is poison-fruit-tree amidst a town
Kural 1009Others usurp the shining gold In loveless, stingy, vicious hold
Kural 1010The brief want of the rich benign Is like rainclouds growing thin