Thirukkural 223 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
இலனென்னும் எவ்வம் உரையாமை ஈதல்
குலனுடையான் கண்ணே யுள.
Transliteration
Ilanennum Evvam Uraiyaamai Eedhal
Kulanutaiyaan Kanne Yula
Modern English
“Giving to others without ever complaining about your own hardship is the mark of real character.”
Modern Interpretation
Giving to others without ever complaining about your own hardship is the mark of real character. It takes quiet strength to help while struggling yourself. For example, someone from a modest background who still finds a way to support a friend in need, without mentioning their own struggles, shows what genuine generosity looks like.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Giving to others without ever complaining about your own hardship is the mark of real character.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
No pleading, \"I am nothing worth,\" But giving marks a noble birth
G.U. Pope Translation
'I've nought' is ne'er the high-born man's reply;He gives to those who raise themselves that cry
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
(Even in a low state) not to adopt the mean expedient of saying "I have nothing," but to give, is the characteristic of the mad of noble birth
Tamil commentary
ஏழை என்று மற்றவரிடம் சொல்லாதிருப்பதும்,, ஏதும் அற்றவர்க்குத் தருவதும் நல்ல குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தவனிடம் மட்டுமே உண்டு.
Chapter 23
More from Giving
ஈகை
To give the poor is charity The rest is loan and vanity
Kural 222To beg is bad e'en from the good To give is good, were heaven forbid
Kural 223No pleading, \"I am nothing worth,\" But giving marks a noble birth
Kural 224The cry for alms is painful sight Until the giver sees him bright
Kural 225Higher's power which hunger cures Than that of penance which endures
Kural 226Drive from the poor their gnawing pains If room you seek to store your gains
Kural 227Who shares his food with those who need Hunger shall not harm his creed
Kural 228The joy of give and take they lose Hard-hearted rich whose hoarding fails
Kural 229Worse than begging is that boarding Alone what one's greed is hoarding
Kural 230Nothing is more painful than death Yet more is pain of giftless dearth