Thirukkural 478 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஆகாறு அளவிட்டி தாயினுங் கேடில்லை
போகாறு அகலாக் கடை.
Transliteration
Aakaaru Alavitti Thaayinung Ketillai
Pokaaru Akalaak Katai
Modern English
“A modest income is not harmful when spending stays within it.”
Modern Interpretation
A modest income is not harmful when spending stays within it. For example, a student can manage a small allowance well by avoiding debt and unnecessary purchases.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A modest income is not harmful when spending stays within it.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The outflow must not be excess No matter how small income is
G.U. Pope Translation
Incomings may be scant; but yet, no failure there,If in expenditure you rightly learn to spare
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Even though the income (of a king) be small, it will not cause his (ruin), if his outgoings be not larger than his income
Tamil commentary
வருமானம் அளவில் சிறிது என்றாலும் செலவினம் பெரிதாகாதபோது கேடு இல்லை.
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