Thirukkural 1006 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஏதம் பெருஞ்செல்வம் தான்துவ்வான் தக்கார்க்கொன்று
ஈதல் இயல்பிலா தான்.
Transliteration
Edham Perunjelvam Thaandhuvvaan Thakkaarkkondru
Eedhal Iyalpilaa Thaan
Modern English
“Wealth becomes a kind of illness when its owner neither enjoys it nor uses it to help deserving people.”
Modern Interpretation
Wealth becomes a kind of illness when its owner neither enjoys it nor uses it to help deserving people. For example, a person who hoards savings while refusing needed medical help to a dependent lets the fortune control them.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Wealth becomes a kind of illness when its owner neither enjoys it nor uses it to help deserving people.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Great wealth unused for oneself nor To worthy men is but a slur
G.U. Pope Translation
Their ample wealth is misery to men of churlish heart,Who nought themselves enjoy, and nought to worthy men impart
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
He who enjoys not (his riches) nor relieves the wants of the worthy is a disease to his wealth
Tamil commentary
தானும் அனுபவிக்காமல், தகுதியானவர்க்குத் தரும் மனப்பாங்கும் இல்லாமல் வாழ்பவனிடம் இருக்கும் பெரும் செல்வம் ஒரு நோயே.
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