Thirukkural 1070 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கரப்பவர்க்கு யாங்கொளிக்கும் கொல்லோ இரப்பவர்
சொல்லாடப் போஒம் உயிர்.
Transliteration
Karappavarkku Yaangolikkum Kollo Irappavar
Sollaatap Poom Uyir
Modern English
“If a harsh refusal can crush the spirit of the person asking, what place is left for the life of the person who refuses while holding plenty?”
Modern Interpretation
If a harsh refusal can crush the spirit of the person asking, what place is left for the life of the person who refuses while holding plenty? When a manager rejects an emergency request without even listening, the refusal says something about the manager too.
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Modern Plain English
If a harsh refusal can crush the spirit of the person asking, what place is left for the life of the person who refuses while holding plenty?
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The word \"No\" kills the begger's life Where can the niggard's life be safe?
G.U. Pope Translation
E'en as he asks, the shamefaced asker dies;Where shall his spirit hide who help denies
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Saying "No" to a beggar takes away his life. (but as that very word will kill the refuser) where then would the latter's life hide itself ?
Tamil commentary
இல்லை என்று சொல்வதைக் கேட்ட உடனே பிச்சை எடுப்பவரிடமிருந்து போய் விடும் உயிர், இல்லை என்று சொல்பவர்க்கு மட்டும் போகாமல் எங்கே போய் ஒளிந்து கொள்கிறது?
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?