Thirukkural 477 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஆற்றின் அறவறிந்து ஈக அதுபொருள்
போற்றி வழங்கு நெறி.
Transliteration
Aatrin Aravarindhu Eeka Adhuporul
Potri Vazhangu Neri
Modern English
“Give according to what you can truly afford; measured generosity protects your ability to keep helping.”
Modern Interpretation
Give according to what you can truly afford; measured generosity protects your ability to keep helping. For example, set a donation budget instead of promising money you cannot spare.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
Give according to what you can truly afford; measured generosity protects your ability to keep helping.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Know the limit; grant with measure This way give and guard your treasure
G.U. Pope Translation
With knowledge of the measure due, as virtue bids you give!That is the way to guard your wealth, and seemly live
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Let a man know the measure of his ability (to give), and let him give accordingly; such giving is the way to preserve his property
Tamil commentary
எதைப் பிறர்க்குக் கொடுத்தாலும் தம் பொருளாதார நிலையை அறிந்து கொடுக்கவும்; அப்படிக் கொடுப்பதே பொருளைக் காத்துக் கொண்டு, கொடுக்கும் முறையான வழியாகும்.
Chapter 48
More from The Knowledge of Power
வலியறிதல்
Judge act and might and foeman's strength The allies' strength and go at length
Kural 472Nothing hampers the firm who know What they can and how to go
Kural 473Many know not their meagre might Their pride breaks up in boastful fight
Kural 474Who adapts not, outsteps measure And brags himself-his fall is sure
Kural 475Even the gentle peacock's plume Cart's axle breaks by gross volume
Kural 476Beyond the branches' tip who skips Ends the life as his body rips
Kural 477Know the limit; grant with measure This way give and guard your treasure
Kural 478The outflow must not be excess No matter how small income is
Kural 479Who does not know to live in bounds His life seems rich but thins and ends
Kural 480Wealth amassed quickly vanishes Sans level if one lavishes