Thirukkural 656 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஈன்றாள் பசிகாண்பான் ஆயினுஞ் செய்யற்க
சான்றோர் பழிக்கும் வினை.
Transliteration
Eendraal Pasikaanpaan Aayinunj Cheyyarka
Saandror Pazhikkum Vinai
Modern English
“Even urgent need does not justify an act honorable people condemn.”
Modern Interpretation
Even urgent need does not justify an act honorable people condemn. Someone struggling to feed family should seek honest help rather than steal from another vulnerable person.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Even urgent need does not justify an act honorable people condemn.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Though she who begot thee hungers Shun acts denounced by ancient seers
G.U. Pope Translation
Though her that bore thee hung'ring thou behold, no deedDo thou, that men of perfect soul have crime decreed
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Though a minister may see his mother starve; let him do not act which the wise would (treat with contempt)
Tamil commentary
தன்னைப் பெற்றவனின் பசியைக் காண நேர்ந்தாலும் அதைப் போக்கப் பெருமக்கள் பழிக்கும் செயல்களைச் செய்யாது விடுக.
Chapter 66
More from Purity in Action
வினைத் தூய்மை
Friendship brings gain; but action pure Does every good thing we desire
Kural 652Eschew always acts that do not Bring good nor glory on their part
Kural 653Those in the world desire for fame Should shun the deed that dims their name
Kural 654Though perils press the faultless wise Shun deeds of mean, shameful device
Kural 655Do not wrong act and grieve, \"Alas\" If done, do not repeat it twice
Kural 656Though she who begot thee hungers Shun acts denounced by ancient seers
Kural 657Pinching poverty of the wise Is more than wealth hoarded by Vice
Kural 658Those who dare a forbidden deed Suffer troubles though they succeed
Kural 659Gains from weeping, weeping go Though lost, from good deeds blessings flow
Kural 660The wealth gathered in guilty ways Is water poured in wet clay vase