Thirukkural 81 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

இருந்தோம்பி இல்வாழ்வ தெல்லாம் விருந்தோம்பி
வேளாண்மை செய்தற் பொருட்டு.

Transliteration

Irundhompi Ilvaazhva Thellaam Virundhompi
Velaanmai Seydhar Poruttu

English Translation

“Men set up home, toil and earn To tend the guests and do good turn”

Plain-English meaning

The whole design of living in the domestic state and laying up (property) is (to be able) to exercise the benevolence of hospitality

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

Men set up home, toil and earn To tend the guests and do good turn

G.U. Pope Translation

All household cares and course of daily life have this in viewGuests to receive with courtesy, and kindly acts to do

Plain-English Meaning

The whole design of living in the domestic state and laying up (property) is (to be able) to exercise the benevolence of hospitality

வீட்டில் இருந்து, பொருள்களைச் சேர்த்தும் காத்தும் வாழ்வது எல்லாம், வந்த விருந்தினரைப் பேணி அவர்களுக்கு உதவுவதற்கே ஆம்.

Chapter 9

விருந்தோம்பல்

Men set up home, toil and earn To tend the guests and do good turn

To keep out guests cannot be good Albeit you eat nector-like food

Who tends his guests day in and out His life in want never wears out

The goddess of wealth will gladly rest Where smiles welcome the worthy guest

Should his field be sown who first Feeds the guests and eats the rest?

Who tends a guest and looks for next Is a welcome guest in heaven's feast

Worth of the guest of quality Is worth of hospitality

Who loathe guest-service one day cry: \"We toil and store; but life is dry\"

The man of wealth is poor indeed Whose folly fails the guest to feed

Anicham smelt withers: like that A wry-faced look withers the guest