Kural 252Chapter 26: Abstinence from Flesh

Thirukkural 252 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

பொருளாட்சி போற்றாதார்க்கு இல்லை அருளாட்சி
ஆங்கில்லை ஊன்தின் பவர்க்கு.

Transliteration

Porulaatchi Potraadhaarkku Illai Arulaatchi
Aangillai Oondhin Pavarkku

Modern English

“We do not truly possess wealth if we cannot protect or use it wisely; in the same way, we cannot claim compassion while choosing to eat flesh.”

Modern Interpretation

We do not truly possess wealth if we cannot protect or use it wisely; in the same way, we cannot claim compassion while choosing to eat flesh. Kindness has to shape our choices, not just our words. For example, a person who speaks gently but ignores suffering when convenient is missing the point.

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Modern Plain English

We do not truly possess wealth if we cannot protect or use it wisely; in the same way, we cannot claim compassion while choosing to eat flesh.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

The thriftless have no property And flesh-eaters have no pity

G.U. Pope Translation

No use of wealth have they who guard not their estate;No use of grace have they with flesh who hunger sate

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

As those possess no property who do not take care of it, so those possess no kindness who feed on flesh

Tamil commentary

பொருளால் பயன் பெறுவது அதைப் பாதுகாக்காதவர்க்கு இல்லை; அது போல, இரக்கத்தால் பயன்பெறுவது இறைச்சி தின்பவர்க்கு இல்லை.

Chapter 26

More from Abstinence from Flesh

புலால் மறுத்தல்

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Kural 251

What graciousness can one command who feeds his flesh by flesh gourmand

Kural 252

The thriftless have no property And flesh-eaters have no pity

Kural 253

Who wields a steel is steel-hearted Who tastes body is hard-hearted

Kural 254

If merciless it is to kill, To kill and eat is disgraceful

Kural 255

Off with flesh; a life you save The eater hell's mouth shall not waive!

Kural 256

None would kill and sell the flesh For eating it if they don't wish

Kural 257

From eating flesh men must abstain If they but feel the being's pain

Kural 258

Whose mind from illusion is freed Refuse on lifeless flesh to feed

Kural 259

Not to-kill-and-eat, truly Excels thousand pourings of ghee!

Kural 260

All lives shall lift their palms to him Who eats not flesh nor kills with whim