Thirukkural in English

ARATHUPPAL DEALING
WITH VIRTUE

23. CHARITY - EEGAI

 23. Charity - Eegai

Tamil

Trans - Variyaarkkondru Eevadhe Eekaimar Rellaam

Kuriyedhirppai Neera Thutaiththu
literate
Meaning To give to the destitute is true charity
in English All other gifts have the nature of (what
is done for) a measured return
 23. Charity - Eegai

Tamil

Trans - Nallaaru Eninum Kolaldheedhu Melulakam

illeninum Eedhale Nandru
literate
Meaning To beg is evil, even though it were said
in English that it is a good path (to heaven) To
give is good, even though it were said
that those who do so cannot obtain
heaven
 23. Charity - Eegai

Tamil

Trans - Ilanennum Evvam Uraiyaamai Eedhal

Kulanutaiyaan Kanne Yula
literate
Meaning (Even in a low state) not to adopt the
in English mean expedient of saying 'I have
nothing,' but to give, is the
characteristic of the mad of noble
birth
 23. Charity - Eegai

Tamil

Trans - Innaadhu Irakkap Patudhal Irandhavar

Inmukang Kaanum Alavu
literate
Meaning To see men begging from us in
in English disagreeable, until we see their
pleasant countenance
 23. Charity - Eegai

Tamil

Trans - Aatruvaar Aatral Pasiaatral Appasiyai

Maatruvaar Aatralin Pin
literate
Meaning The power of those who perform
in English penance is the power of enduring
hunger It is inferior to the power of those
who remove the hunger (of others)
 23. Charity - Eegai

Tamil

Trans - Atraar Azhipasi Theerththal Aqdhoruvan

Petraan Porulvaip Puzhi
literate
Meaning The removal of the killing hunger of
in English the poor is the place for one to lay up
his wealth
 23. Charity - Eegai

Tamil

Trans - Paaththoon Mareei Yavanaip Pasiyennum

Theeppini Theental Aridhu
literate
Meaning The fiery disease of hunger shall never
in English touch him who habitually distributes
his food to others
 23. Charity - Eegai

Tamil

Trans - Eeththuvakkum Inpam Ariyaarkol Thaamutaimai

Vaiththizhakkum Vanka Navar
literate
Meaning Do the hard-eyed who lay up and lose
in English their possessions not know the
happiness which springs from the
pleasure of giving ?
 23. Charity - Eegai

Tamil

Trans - Iraththalin Innaadhu Mandra Nirappiya

Thaame Thamiyar Unal
literate
Meaning Solitary and unshared eating for the
in English sake of filling up one's own riches is
certainly much more
 23. Charity - Eegai

Tamil

Trans - Saadhalin Innaadha Thillai Inidhadhooum

Eedhal Iyaiyaak Katai
literate
Meaning Nothing is more unpleasant than
in English death: yet even that is pleasant where
charity cannot be exercised