Thirukkural 1044 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
இற்பிறந்தார் கண்ணேயும் இன்மை இளிவந்த
சொற்பிறக்கும் சோர்வு தரும்.
Transliteration
Irpirandhaar Kanneyum Inmai Ilivandha
Sorpirakkum Sorvu Tharum
Modern English
“Even people from respected families may speak harshly when poverty wears down their patience and dignity.”
Modern Interpretation
Even people from respected families may speak harshly when poverty wears down their patience and dignity. For example, someone overwhelmed by unpaid bills may say hurtful words they would normally avoid.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Even people from respected families may speak harshly when poverty wears down their patience and dignity.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Want makes even good familymen Utter words that are low and mean
G.U. Pope Translation
From penury will spring, 'mid even those of noble race,Oblivion that gives birth to words that bring disgrace
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Even in those of high birth, poverty will produce the fault of uttering mean words
Tamil commentary
நல்ல குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தவரிடம் கூட, இல்லாமை வந்து விட்டால், இழிவான சொற்களைச் சொல்லும் தளர்ச்சியை உண்டாக்கி விடும்.
Chapter 105
More from Poverty
நல்குரவு
What gives more pain than scarcity? No pain pinches like poverty
Kural 1042The sinner Want is enemy dire Of joys of earth and heaven there
Kural 1043The craving itch of poverty Kills graceful words and ancestry
Kural 1044Want makes even good familymen Utter words that are low and mean
Kural 1045The pest of wanton poverty Brings a train of misery
Kural 1046The poor men's words are thrown away Though from heart good things they say
Kural 1047Even the mother looks as stranger The poor devoid of character
Kural 1048The killing Want of yesterday Will it pester me even to-day?
Kural 1049One may sleep in the midst of fire In want a wink of sleep is rare
Kural 1050Renounce their lives the poor must Or salt and gruel go to waste