Thirukkural 1043 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

தொல்வரவும் தோலும் கெடுக்கும் தொகையாக
நல்குரவு என்னும் நசை.

Transliteration

Tholvaravum Tholum Ketukkum Thokaiyaaka
Nalkuravu Ennum Nasai

English Translation

“The craving itch of poverty Kills graceful words and ancestry”

Plain-English meaning

Hankering poverty destroys at once the greatness of (one's) ancient descent and (the dignity of one's) speech

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

The craving itch of poverty Kills graceful words and ancestry

G.U. Pope Translation

Importunate desire, which poverty men name,Destroys both old descent and goodly fame

Plain-English Meaning

Hankering poverty destroys at once the greatness of (one's) ancient descent and (the dignity of one's) speech

இல்லாமை என்று சொல்லப்படும் மன ஆசை எவரிடம் இருக்கிறதோ, அவரின் பழம் குடும்பப் பெருமையையும் சிறந்த பாராட்டுக்களையும் அது மொத்தமாக அழித்து விடும்.

Chapter 105

நல்குரவு

What gives more pain than scarcity? No pain pinches like poverty

The sinner Want is enemy dire Of joys of earth and heaven there

The craving itch of poverty Kills graceful words and ancestry

Want makes even good familymen Utter words that are low and mean

The pest of wanton poverty Brings a train of misery

The poor men's words are thrown away Though from heart good things they say

Even the mother looks as stranger The poor devoid of character

The killing Want of yesterday Will it pester me even to-day?

One may sleep in the midst of fire In want a wink of sleep is rare

Renounce their lives the poor must Or salt and gruel go to waste