Thirukkural 523 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அளவளா வில்லாதான் வாழ்க்கை குளவளாக்
கோடின்றி நீர்நிறைந் தற்று.
Transliteration
Alavalaa Villaadhaan Vaazhkkai Kulavalaak
Kotindri Neernirain Thatru
Modern English
“Wealth has little value when a person never shares life with the people who care about them.”
Modern Interpretation
Wealth has little value when a person never shares life with the people who care about them. For example, a successful young professional who shuts everyone out may have comfort but still feel deeply alone.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Wealth has little value when a person never shares life with the people who care about them.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
A kinless wealth is like a tank Which overflows without a bank
G.U. Pope Translation
His joy of life who mingles not with kinsmen gathered round,Is lake where streams pour in, with no encircling bound
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The wealth of one who does not mingle freely with his relatives, will be like the filling of water in a
Tamil commentary
சுற்றத்தாரோடு மனந்திறந்து உறவாடாதவன் வாழ்க்கை, கரை இல்லாத குளப்பரப்பில் நீர் நிறைந்திருப்பது போன்றது.
Chapter 53
More from Cherishing Kinsmen
சுற்றந் தழால்
Let fortunes go; yet kinsmen know The old accustomed love to show
Kural 522The gift of loving Kins bestows Fadeless fortune's fresh flowers
Kural 523A kinless wealth is like a tank Which overflows without a bank
Kural 524The fruit of growing wealth is gained When kith and kin are happy found
Kural 525Loving words and liberal hand Encircle kith and kin around
Kural 526Large giver and wrathless man Commands on earth countless kinsmen
Kural 527The crows hide not; thy call and eat Welfare abides a man of heart
Kural 528From public gaze when kings perceive Each one's merits so many thrive
Kural 529Forsaken friends will come and stay When cause for discord goes away
Kural 530Who leaves and returns with motive The king should test him and receive