Thirukkural 87 in English

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

Tamil original

இனைத்துணைத் தென்பதொன் றில்லை விருந்தின்
துணைத்துணை வேள்விப் பயன்.

Transliteration

Inaiththunaith Thenpadhon Rillai Virundhin
Thunaiththunai Velvip Payan

English Translation

“Worth of the guest of quality Is worth of hospitality”

Plain-English meaning

The advantages of benevolence cannot be measured; the measure (of the virtue) of the guests (entertained) is the only measure

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

Worth of the guest of quality Is worth of hospitality

G.U. Pope Translation

To reckon up the fruit of kindly deeds were all in vain;Their worth is as the worth of guests you entertain

Plain-English Meaning

The advantages of benevolence cannot be measured; the measure (of the virtue) of the guests (entertained) is the only measure

விருந்தினரைப் பேணுவதும் ஒரு யாகமே. அதைச் செய்வதால் வரும் நன்மை இவ்வளவு என்று அளவிட முடியாது; வரும் விருந்தினரின் தகுதி அளவுதான் நன்மையின் அளவாகும்.

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