Thirukkural 480 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
உளவரை தூக்காத ஒப்புர வாண்மை
வளவரை வல்லைக் கெடும்.
Transliteration
Ulavarai Thookkaadha Oppura Vaanmai
Valavarai Vallaik Ketum
Modern English
“Generosity without regard for your resources can quickly destroy what you have.”
Modern Interpretation
Generosity without regard for your resources can quickly destroy what you have. For example, repeatedly paying every friend’s expenses may leave you unable to meet your own needs.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Generosity without regard for your resources can quickly destroy what you have.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Wealth amassed quickly vanishes Sans level if one lavishes
G.U. Pope Translation
Beneficence that measures not its bound of means,Will swiftly bring to nought the wealth on which it leans
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The measure of his wealth will quickly perish, whose liberality weighs not the measure of his property
Tamil commentary
பொருளாதார நிலையை எண்ணாது பிறர்க்குச் செய்யும் உபகாரத்தால் ஒருவனது செல்வத்தின் அளவு, விரைவில் கெடும்.
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