Thirukkural 408 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நல்லார்கண் பட்ட வறுமையின் இன்னாதே
கல்லார்கண் பட் ட திரு.
Transliteration
Nallaarkan Patta Varumaiyin Innaadhe
Kallaarkan Patta Thiru
Modern English
“Wealth in the hands of someone without judgment can cause more harm than poverty borne by a wise person.”
Modern Interpretation
Wealth in the hands of someone without judgment can cause more harm than poverty borne by a wise person. For example, an inexperienced owner may waste money and hurt workers, while a careful person can use very little well.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Wealth in the hands of someone without judgment can cause more harm than poverty borne by a wise person.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Wealth in the hand of fools is worse Than a learned man's empty purse
G.U. Pope Translation
To men unlearned, from fortune's favour greater-evil springsThan poverty to men of goodly wisdom brings
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Wealth, gained by the unlearned, will give more sorrow than the poverty which may come upon the learned
Tamil commentary
படிக்காதவரிடம் இருக்கும் செல்வம், நல்லவரிடம் இருக்கும் வறுமையைக் காட்டிலும் கொடியது.
Chapter 41
More from Ignorance
கல்லாமை
Like play of chess on squareless board Vain is imperfect loreless word
Kural 402Unlearned man aspiring speech Is breastless lady's love-approach
Kural 403Ev'n unread men are good and wise If before the wise, they hold their peace
Kural 404The unread's wit though excellent Is not valued by the savant
Kural 405A man untaught when speech he vaunts Sadly fails before savants
Kural 406People speak of untaught minds \"They just exist like barren lands\"
Kural 407Like painted clay-doll is his show Grand subtle lore who fails to know
Kural 408Wealth in the hand of fools is worse Than a learned man's empty purse
Kural 409Lower are fools of higher birth Than low-born men of learning's worth
Kural 410Like beasts before men, dunces are Before scholars of shining lore