Thirukkural 85 in English

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

Tamil original

வித்தும் இடல்வேண்டும் கொல்லோ விருந்தோம்பி
மிச்சில் மிசைவான் புலம்.

Transliteration

Viththum Italventum Kollo Virundhompi
Michchil Misaivaan Pulam

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

Is it necessary to sow the field of the man who, having feasted his guests, eats what may remain ?

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Who first regales his guest, and then himself supplies,O'er all his fields, unsown, shall plenteous harvests rise

Plain-English Meaning

Is it necessary to sow the field of the man who, having feasted his guests, eats what may remain ?

விருந்தினர் முதலில் உண்ண, மிஞ்சியவற்றையே உண்பவனின் நிலத்தில் விதைக்கவும் வேண்டுமா?

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