Thirukkural 1010 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
சீருடைச் செல்வர் சிறுதுனி மாரி
வறங்கூர்ந் தனையது உடைத்து.
Transliteration
Seerutaich Chelvar Sirudhuni Maari
Varangoorn Thanaiyadhu Utaiththu
Modern English
“A short period of hardship for a generous and respected person is like a rain cloud that is briefly empty.”
Modern Interpretation
A short period of hardship for a generous and respected person is like a rain cloud that is briefly empty. For example, a community donor may face a temporary setback without losing the goodwill built through years of helping others.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A short period of hardship for a generous and respected person is like a rain cloud that is briefly empty.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The brief want of the rich benign Is like rainclouds growing thin
G.U. Pope Translation
'Tis as when rain cloud in the heaven grows day,When generous wealthy man endures brief poverty
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The short-lived poverty of those who are noble and rich is like the clouds becoming poor (for a while)
Tamil commentary
பிறர்க்குக் கொடுத்துப் புகழ்மிக்கவர் ஆகிய செல்வர்கள் சிறிது காலம் வறுமைப்பட நேர்ந்தால், அது மழை தரம் மேகமே வறுமைப்பட்டது 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