Thirukkural 1066 in English

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

Tamil original

ஆவிற்கு நீரென்று இரப்பினும் நாவிற்கு
இரவின் இளிவந்த தில்.

Transliteration

Aavirku Neerendru Irappinum Naavirku
Iravin Ilivandha Thil

English Translation

“It may be water for the cow Begging tongue is mean anyhow”

Plain-English meaning

There is nothing more disgraceful to one's tongue than to use it in begging water even for a cow

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

It may be water for the cow Begging tongue is mean anyhow

G.U. Pope Translation

E'en if a draught of water for a cow you ask,Nought's so distasteful to the tongue as beggar's task

Plain-English Meaning

There is nothing more disgraceful to one's tongue than to use it in begging water even for a cow

பசுவிற்குத் தண்ணீர் வேண்டும் என்று பிறரிடம் பிச்சையாகக் கேட்டாலும் அதுவும் பிச்சையாதலால், நம் நாவிற்கு அதைவிடக் கேவலம் வேறு இல்லை.

Chapter 107

இரவச்சம்

Not to beg is billions worth E'en from eye-like friends who give with mirth

Let World-Maker loiter and rot If \"beg and live\" be human fate

Nothing is hard like hard saying \"We end poverty by begging\"

All space is small before the great Who beg not e'en in want acute

Though gruel thin, nothing is sweet Like the food earned by labour's sweat

It may be water for the cow Begging tongue is mean anyhow

If beg they must I beg beggers Not to beg from shrinking misers

The hapless bark of beggary splits On the rock of refusing hits

The heart at thought of beggars melts; It dies at repulsing insults

The word \"No\" kills the begger's life Where can the niggard's life be safe?