Thirukkural 88 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பரிந்தோம்பிப் பற்றற்றேம் என்பர் விருந்தோம்பி
வேள்வி தலைப்படா தார்.
Transliteration
Parindhompip Patratrem Enpar Virundhompi
Velvi Thalaippataa Thaar
Modern English
“People who spend their lives only collecting wealth may discover that possessions do not provide human support.”
Modern Interpretation
People who spend their lives only collecting wealth may discover that possessions do not provide human support. Hospitality creates relationships that money alone cannot buy. For example, someone who never makes time for neighbours may feel isolated during an emergency, while a generous person can rely on a community they have also supported.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People who spend their lives only collecting wealth may discover that possessions do not provide human support.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Who loathe guest-service one day cry: \"We toil and store; but life is dry\"
G.U. Pope Translation
With pain they guard their stores, yet 'All forlorn are we,' they'll cry,Who cherish not their guests, nor kindly help supply
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Those who have taken no part in the benevolence of hospitality shall (at length lament) saying, "we have laboured and laid up wealth and are now without support."
Tamil commentary
விருந்தினரைப் பேணி, அந்த யாகத்தின் பயனைப் பெறும் பேறு அற்றவர். செல்வத்தைச் சிரமப்பட்டுக் காத்தும் அதனை இழக்கும் போது, இப்போது எந்தத் துணையும் இல்லாதவராய்ப் போனோமே என்று வருந்துவர்.
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