Thirukkural 837 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஏதிலார் ஆரத் தமர்பசிப்பர் பேதை
பெருஞ்செல்வம் உற்றக் கடை.
Transliteration
Edhilaar Aarath Thamarpasippar Pedhai
Perunjelvam Utrak Katai
Modern English
“When a foolish person gains great wealth, outsiders may enjoy it while the people who depend on them go without.”
Modern Interpretation
When a foolish person gains great wealth, outsiders may enjoy it while the people who depend on them go without. Someone who spends family savings impressing new friends may leave their own household struggling.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
When a foolish person gains great wealth, outsiders may enjoy it while the people who depend on them go without.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Strangers feast and kinsmen fast When fools mishandle fortunes vast
G.U. Pope Translation
When fools are blessed with fortune's bounteous store,Their foes feed full, their friends are prey to hunger sore
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
If a fool happens to get an immense fortune, his neighbours will enjoy it while his relations starve
Tamil commentary
அறிவற்றவன் பெருஞ்செல்வத்தை அடைந்தபோது பிறர் அதை அனுபவிக்க, அவன் உறவினர் பசித்திருப்பர்.
Chapter 84
More from Folly
பேதைமை
This is folly's prominent vein To favour loss and forego gain
Kural 832Folly of follies is to lead A lewd and lawless life so bad
Kural 833Shameless, aimless, callous, listless Such are the marks of foolishness
Kural 834No fool equals the fool who learns Knows, teaches, but self-control spurns
Kural 835The fool suffers seven fold hells In single birth of hellish ills
Kural 836A know-nothing fool daring a deed Not only fails but feels fettered
Kural 837Strangers feast and kinsmen fast When fools mishandle fortunes vast
Kural 838Fools possessing something on hand Like dazed and drunken stupids stand
Kural 839Friendship with fools is highly sweet For without a groan we part
Kural 840Entrance of fools where Savants meet Looks like couch trod by unclean feet