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
Modern English
“The value of hospitality cannot be fixed to one number.”
Modern Interpretation
The value of hospitality cannot be fixed to one number. Its benefit depends on the guest's need and the care given by the host. For example, offering a glass of water to a tired traveller may be a small act in effort but a great kindness to that person at that moment.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
The value of hospitality cannot be fixed to one number.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The advantages of benevolence cannot be measured; the measure (of the virtue) of the guests (entertained) is the only measure
Tamil commentary
விருந்தினரைப் பேணுவதும் ஒரு யாகமே. அதைச் செய்வதால் வரும் நன்மை இவ்வளவு என்று அளவிட முடியாது; வரும் விருந்தினரின் தகுதி அளவுதான் நன்மையின் அளவாகும்.
Chapter 9
More from Hospitality
விருந்தோம்பல்
Men set up home, toil and earn To tend the guests and do good turn
Kural 82To keep out guests cannot be good Albeit you eat nector-like food
Kural 83Who tends his guests day in and out His life in want never wears out
Kural 84The goddess of wealth will gladly rest Where smiles welcome the worthy guest
Kural 85Should his field be sown who first Feeds the guests and eats the rest?
Kural 86Who tends a guest and looks for next Is a welcome guest in heaven's feast
Kural 87Worth of the guest of quality Is worth of hospitality
Kural 88Who loathe guest-service one day cry: \"We toil and store; but life is dry\"
Kural 89The man of wealth is poor indeed Whose folly fails the guest to feed
Kural 90Anicham smelt withers: like that A wry-faced look withers the guest