Thirukkural 1008 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நச்சப் படாதவன் செல்வம் நடுவூருள்
நச்சு மரம்பழுத் தற்று.
Transliteration
Nachchap Pataadhavan Selvam Natuvoorul
Nachchu Marampazhuth Thatru
Modern English
“The wealth of a disliked person is like poisonous fruit growing in the middle of a town: it may look plentiful, but people cannot safely benefit from it.”
Modern Interpretation
The wealth of a disliked person is like poisonous fruit growing in the middle of a town: it may look plentiful, but people cannot safely benefit from it. For example, money built by exploiting workers brings fear rather than trust.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
The wealth of a disliked person is like poisonous fruit growing in the middle of a town: it may look plentiful, but people cannot safely benefit from it.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The idle wealth of unsought men Is poison-fruit-tree amidst a town
G.U. Pope Translation
When he whom no man loves exults in great prosperity,'Tis as when fruits in midmost of the town some poisonous tree
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The wealth of him who is disliked (by all) is like the fruit-bearing of the etty tree in the midst of a town
Tamil commentary
எவராலும் விரும்பப்படாதவனின் செல்வம் ஊரின் நடுவே நின்ற நச்சு மரம் பழுத்தது போலாம்.
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