The Kural
All chapters › Virtue (அறத்துப்பால்) › Chapter 23
ஈகை
Kurals 221–230 of the Thirukkural, in the book of Virtue (அறத்துப்பால்).
வறியார்க்கொன்று ஈவதே ஈகைமற் றெல்லாம்
குறியெதிர்ப்பை நீர துடைத்து.
Call that a gift to needy men thou dost dispense,
All else is void of good, seeking for recompense.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Real charity is giving to people in need; anything else is an investment you expect to get back.
Open in the appநல்லாறு எனினும் கொளல்தீது மேலுலகம்
இல்லெனினும் ஈதலே நன்று.
Though men declare it heavenward path, yet to receive is ill;
Though upper heaven were not, to give is virtue still.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Asking for handouts is bad even if it's said to lead to heaven; giving is good even if it doesn't.
Open in the appஇலனென்னும் எவ்வம் உரையாமை ஈதல்
குலனுடையான் கண்ணே யுள.
'I've nought' is ne'er the high-born man's reply;
He gives to those who raise themselves that cry.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Even when struggling, someone of good character never says "I have nothing"; they still give.
Open in the appஇன்னாது இரக்கப் படுதல் இரந்தவர்
இன்முகங் காணும் அளவு.
The suppliants' cry for aid yields scant delight,
Until you see his face with grateful gladness bright.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: It's hard to see someone ask for help, until you see their face light up when you give.
Open in the appஆற்றுவார் ஆற்றல் பசிஆற்றல் அப்பசியை
மாற்றுவார் ஆற்றலின் பின்.
'Mid devotees they're great who hunger's pangs sustain,
Who hunger's pangs relieve a higher merit gain.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Enduring your own hunger takes strength; ending someone else's takes more.
Open in the appஅற்றார் அழிபசி தீர்த்தல் அஃதொருவன்
பெற்றான் பொருள்வைப் புழி.
Let man relieve the wasting hunger men endure;
For treasure gained thus finds he treasure-house secure.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Feeding hungry people is the best place to keep your wealth.
Open in the appபாத்தூண் மரீஇ யவனைப் பசியென்னும்
தீப்பிணி தீண்டல் அரிது.
Whose soul delights with hungry men to share his meal,
The hand of hunger's sickness sore shall never feel.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Someone who always shares their food will never suffer the fever of hunger.
Open in the appஈத்துவக்கும் இன்பம் அறியார்கொல் தாமுடைமை
வைத்திழக்கும் வன்க ணவர்.
Delight of glad'ning human hearts with gifts do they not know.
Men of unpitying eye, who hoard their wealth and lose it so?
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Don't the hard-hearted who hoard and then lose it all know the joy of giving?
Open in the appஇரத்தலின் இன்னாது மன்ற நிரப்பிய
தாமே தமியர் உணல்.
They keep their garners full, for self alone the board they spread;-
'Tis greater pain, be sure, than begging daily bread!
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Eating alone just to keep piling up money is worse than begging.
Open in the appசாதலின் இன்னாத தில்லை இனிததூஉம்
ஈதல் இயையாக் கடை.
'Tis bitter pain to die, 'Tis worse to live.
For him who nothing finds to give!
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Nothing is worse than death, yet even death is sweeter than being unable to help.
Open in the app