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

English Translation

“No pleading, \"I am nothing worth,\" But giving marks a noble birth”

Plain-English meaning

(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

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

(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

ஏழை என்று மற்றவரிடம் சொல்லாதிருப்பதும்,, ஏதும் அற்றவர்க்குத் தருவதும் நல்ல குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தவனிடம் மட்டுமே உண்டு.

Chapter 23

ஈகை

To give the poor is charity The rest is loan and vanity

To beg is bad e'en from the good To give is good, were heaven forbid

No pleading, \"I am nothing worth,\" But giving marks a noble birth

The cry for alms is painful sight Until the giver sees him bright

Higher's power which hunger cures Than that of penance which endures

Drive from the poor their gnawing pains If room you seek to store your gains

Who shares his food with those who need Hunger shall not harm his creed

The joy of give and take they lose Hard-hearted rich whose hoarding fails

Worse than begging is that boarding Alone what one's greed is hoarding

Nothing is more painful than death Yet more is pain of giftless dearth