Thirukkural 1004 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
எச்சமென்று என்எண்ணுங் கொல்லோ ஒருவரால்
நச்சப் படாஅ தவன்.
Transliteration
Echchamendru Enennung Kollo Oruvaraal
Nachchap Pataaa Thavan
Modern English
“A person whom nobody loves because they never help anyone has little to look forward to leaving behind.”
Modern Interpretation
A person whom nobody loves because they never help anyone has little to look forward to leaving behind. For example, a miser may own a great deal, yet no one remembers them with gratitude after they are gone.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A person whom nobody loves because they never help anyone has little to look forward to leaving behind.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
What legacy can he leave behind Who is for approach too unkind
G.U. Pope Translation
Whom no one loves, when he shall pass away,What doth he look to leave behind, I pray
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
What will the miser who is not liked (by any one) regard as his own (in the world to come) ?
Tamil commentary
பிறர்க்கு ஏதும் வழங்காதவன் ஆதலால் எவராலும் விரும்பப்படாத அவன், தன் காலத்திற்குப் பின் தன்னை நினைவுபடுத்தி நிற்கப்போவது என்று எதை எண்ணுவான்?
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