Thirukkural 1047 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அறஞ்சாரா நல்குரவு ஈன்றதா யானும்
பிறன்போல நோக்கப் படும்.
Transliteration
Aranjaaraa Nalkuravu Eendradhaa Yaanum
Piranpola Nokkap Patum
Modern English
“When poverty is joined with conduct that abandons virtue, even close family may begin to treat a person like a stranger.”
Modern Interpretation
When poverty is joined with conduct that abandons virtue, even close family may begin to treat a person like a stranger. For example, repeated dishonest choices made in desperation can break the trust of a person's own household.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
When poverty is joined with conduct that abandons virtue, even close family may begin to treat a person like a stranger.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Even the mother looks as stranger The poor devoid of character
G.U. Pope Translation
From indigence devoid of virtue's grace,The mother e'en that bare, estranged, will turn her face
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
He that is reduced to absolute poverty will be regarded as a stranger even by his own mother
Tamil commentary
நியாயமான காரணங்கள் இல்லாத இல்லாமை ஒருவனுக்கு இருந்தால், பெற்ற தாய் கூட அவனை அந்நியனாகவே பார்ப்பாள்.
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