Thirukkural 1064 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
இடமெல்லாம் கொள்ளாத் தகைத்தே இடமில்லாக்
காலும் இரவொல்லாச் சால்பு.
Transliteration
Itamellaam Kollaath Thakaiththe Itamillaak
Kaalum Iravollaach Chaalpu
Modern English
“The dignity of refusing to beg, even when life offers no easy path, is beyond any wealth the world can offer.”
Modern Interpretation
The dignity of refusing to beg, even when life offers no easy path, is beyond any wealth the world can offer. Someone who keeps seeking honest work through hardship shows a strength money cannot measure.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
The dignity of refusing to beg, even when life offers no easy path, is beyond any wealth the world can offer.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
All space is small before the great Who beg not e'en in want acute
G.U. Pope Translation
Who ne'er consent to beg in utmost need, their worthHas excellence of greatness that transcends the earth
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Even the whole world cannot sufficiently praise the dignity that would not beg even in the midst of destitution
Tamil commentary
ஏதும் இல்லாமல் வறுமை உற்றபோதும் பிறரிடம் சென்று பிச்சை கேட்கச் சம்மதியாத மன அடக்கம், எல்லா உலகும் சேர்ந்தாலும் ஈடாகாத பெருமையை உடையது.
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?