Thirukkural 1003 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஈட்டம் இவறி இசைவேண்டா ஆடவர்
தோற்றம் நிலக்குப் பொறை.
Transliteration
Eettam Ivari Isaiventaa Aatavar
Thotram Nilakkup Porai
Modern English
“People who care only about increasing their wealth and not about earning a good name become a burden to the world.”
Modern Interpretation
People who care only about increasing their wealth and not about earning a good name become a burden to the world. For example, a business owner who profits greatly but never treats workers or customers fairly leaves no respected legacy.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People who care only about increasing their wealth and not about earning a good name become a burden to the world.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
A burden he is to earth indeed Who hoards without a worthy deed
G.U. Pope Translation
Who lust to heap up wealth, but glory hold not dear,It burthens earth when on the stage of being they appear
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
A burden to the earth are men bent on the acquisition of riches and not (true) fame
Tamil commentary
மற்றவரைவிட நாம் அதிகம் பொருள் சேர்க்க வேண்டும் என்று பொருள் சேர்ப்பதையே விரும்பிப் புகழை விரும்பாத மனிதரின் பிறப்பு இப்பூமிக்குப் பாரமே.
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