Thirukkural 212 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தாளாற்றித் தந்த பொருளெல்லாம் தக்கார்க்கு
வேளாண்மை செய்தற் பொருட்டு.
Transliteration
Thaalaatrith Thandha Porulellaam Thakkaarkku
Velaanmai Seydhar Poruttu
Modern English
“Everything you earn through hard work is ultimately meant to help the people who genuinely deserve support.”
Modern Interpretation
Everything you earn through hard work is ultimately meant to help the people who genuinely deserve support. Wealth earns its purpose only when it's shared well. For example, someone who works overtime and later helps fund a sibling's education is putting their effort exactly where it belongs.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Everything you earn through hard work is ultimately meant to help the people who genuinely deserve support.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
All the wealth that toils give Is meant to serve those who deserve
G.U. Pope Translation
The worthy say, when wealth rewards their toil-spent hours,For uses of beneficence alone 'tis ours
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
All the wealth acquired with perseverance by the worthy is for the exercise of benevolence
Tamil commentary
முயன்று சம்பாதித்த பொருள் எல்லாம், உழைக்க முடியாமல் பொருள் தேவைப்படுவோர்க்கு உதவுவதற்கே.
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