Thirukkural 211 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கைம்மாறு வேண்டா கடப்பாடு மாரிமாட்டு
என் ஆற்றுங் கொல்லோ உலகு.
Transliteration
Kaimmaaru Ventaa Katappaatu Maarimaattu
En Aatrung Kollo Ulaku
Modern English
“Real generosity doesn't wait around for anything in return, the same way rain doesn't ask the earth to pay it back.”
Modern Interpretation
Real generosity doesn't wait around for anything in return, the same way rain doesn't ask the earth to pay it back. Giving with strings attached isn't really giving. For example, helping a stranger move house or donating blood works the same way, the point is the act itself, not what comes back from it.
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Modern Plain English
Real generosity doesn't wait around for anything in return, the same way rain doesn't ask the earth to pay it back.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Duty demands nothing in turn; How can the world recompense rain?
G.U. Pope Translation
Duty demands no recompense; to clouds of heaven,By men on earth, what answering gift is given
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Benevolence seeks not a return. What does the world give back to the clouds ?
Tamil commentary
பிறர்க்கு உதவுவது, அவ்வுதவியைப் பெற்றவர் திரும்பச் செய்வதை எதிர்பார்த்து அன்று; ஒருவர் செய்ததற்குத் திரும்பச் செய்துதான் ஆகவேண்டும் என்றால் மழை தரும் மேகங்களுக்கு இந்த உலகம் திரும்ப என்ன செய்துவிட முடியும்?
Chapter 22
More from Duty to Society
ஒப்புரவறிதல்
Duty demands nothing in turn; How can the world recompense rain?
Kural 212All the wealth that toils give Is meant to serve those who deserve
Kural 213In heav'n and earth 'tis hard to find A greater good than being kind
Kural 214He lives who knows befitting act Others are deemed as dead in fact
Kural 215The wealth that wise and kind do make Is like water that fills a lake
Kural 216Who plenty gets and plenty gives Is like town-tree teeming with fruits
Kural 217The wealth of a wide-hearted soul Is a herbal tree that healeth all
Kural 218Though seers may fall on evil days Their sense of duty never strays
Kural 219The good man's poverty and grief Is want of means to give relief
Kural 220By good if ruin comes across Sell yourself to save that loss