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

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

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 ?

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

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 ?

இல்லை என்று சொல்வதைக் கேட்ட உடனே பிச்சை எடுப்பவரிடமிருந்து போய் விடும் உயிர், இல்லை என்று சொல்பவர்க்கு மட்டும் போகாமல் எங்கே போய் ஒளிந்து கொள்கிறது?

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?