Thirukkural 1061 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கரவாது உவந்தீயும் கண்ணன்னார் கண்ணும்
இரவாமை கோடி உறும்.
Transliteration
Karavaadhu Uvandheeyum Kannannaar Kannum
Iravaamai Koti Urum
Modern English
“Even when generous people are ready to give, living without having to ask is far better.”
Modern Interpretation
Even when generous people are ready to give, living without having to ask is far better. Building savings or earning your own income preserves independence.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Even when generous people are ready to give, living without having to ask is far better.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Not to beg is billions worth E'en from eye-like friends who give with mirth
G.U. Pope Translation
Ten million-fold 'tis greater gain, asking no alms to live,Even from those, like eyes in worth, who nought concealing gladly give
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Not to beg (at all) even from those excellent persons who cheerfully give without refusing, will do immense good
Tamil commentary
ஒளிவு மறைவு இல்லாமல், மனம் மகிழ்ந்து பிறர்க்குக் கொடுக்கும் இயல்பு உள்ளவரிடத்திலும் ஒன்றைக் கேட்கா திருப்பது கோடி நன்மையாகும்.
Chapter 107
More from The Dread of Mendicancy
இரவச்சம்
Not to beg is billions worth E'en from eye-like friends who give with mirth
Kural 1062Let World-Maker loiter and rot If \"beg and live\" be human fate
Kural 1063Nothing is hard like hard saying \"We end poverty by begging\"
Kural 1064All space is small before the great Who beg not e'en in want acute
Kural 1065Though gruel thin, nothing is sweet Like the food earned by labour's sweat
Kural 1066It may be water for the cow Begging tongue is mean anyhow
Kural 1067If beg they must I beg beggers Not to beg from shrinking misers
Kural 1068The hapless bark of beggary splits On the rock of refusing hits
Kural 1069The heart at thought of beggars melts; It dies at repulsing insults
Kural 1070The word \"No\" kills the begger's life Where can the niggard's life be safe?