Thirukkural 219 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நயனுடையான் நல்கூர்ந்தா னாதல் செயும்நீர
செய்யாது அமைகலா வாறு.
Transliteration
Nayanutaiyaan Nalkoorndhaa Naadhal Seyumneera
Seyyaadhu Amaikalaa Vaaru
Modern English
“For a genuinely kind person, real poverty isn't about lacking money, it's the frustration of not being able to help the way they want to.”
Modern Interpretation
For a genuinely kind person, real poverty isn't about lacking money, it's the frustration of not being able to help the way they want to. That inability is what actually hurts them. For example, someone who used to donate regularly but suddenly can't afford to feels that loss far more than losing the money itself.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
For a genuinely kind person, real poverty isn't about lacking money, it's the frustration of not being able to help the way they want to.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The good man's poverty and grief Is want of means to give relief
G.U. Pope Translation
The kindly-hearted man is poor in this alone,When power of doing deeds of goodness he finds none
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The poverty of a benevolent man, is nothing but his inability to exercise the same
Tamil commentary
உழைக்கும் சக்தி அற்றவர்க்கு உதவும் உள்ளம் உடையவன் வறியவன் ஆவது, செய்யக்கூடிய உதவிகளைப் பிறர்க்குச் செய்யமுடியாது வருந்தும் போதுதான்.
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