Created by Jijith Nadumuri at 11 Oct 2011 11:10 and updated at 11 Oct 2011 11:10
TIRUKKURAL of Tiruvalluvar, the Tamil poet
BOOK 2
DIVISION 4
2.4 Miscellaneous
ADHIKARAM 12
2.4.12. The Dread of Mendicancy
1061
Ten Million fold tis greater gain, asking no alms to live,
Even from those, like Eyes in worth, who nought concealing gladly give.
Not to beg (at all) even from those excellent persons who cheerfully give without refusing, will do immense good.
1062
If he that shaped the World Desires that men should begging go,
Through life s long course, let him a wanderer be and perish so.
If the Creator of the World has decreed even begging as a means of livelihood, may he too go abegging and perish.
1063
Nothing is harder than the hardness that will say,
The Plague of penury by asking alms we ll drive away.
There is no greater folly than the boldness with which one seeks to remedy the Evils of Poverty by begging (rather than by working).
1064
Who ne er consent to beg in utmost need, their worth
Has excellence of greatness that transcends the Earth.
Even the whole World cannot sufficiently praise the dignity that would not beg even in the midst of destitution.
1065
Nothing is sweeter than to taste the toil won cheer,
Though mess of pottage as tasteless as the Water clear.
Even thin gruel is Ambrosia to him who has obtained it by labour.
1066
Even if a draught of Water for a Cow you ask,
Nought s so distasteful to the Tongue as beggar s task.
There is nothing more disgraceful to one s Tongue than to use it in begging Water even for a Cow.
1067
One thing I beg of Beggars all, If beg ye may,
Of those who hide their Wealth, beg not, I pray.
I beseech all Beggars and say, "If you need to beg, never beg of those who give unwillingly."
1068
The fragile bark of beggary
Wrecked on denial s rock will lie.
The unsafe raft of begging will split when it strikes on the rock of refusal.
1069
The Heart will melt away at thought of beggary,
With thought of stern repulse twill perish utterly.
To think of (the Evil of) begging is enough to melt one s Heart; but to think of refusal is enough to break it.
1070
Even as he asks, the shamefaced asker dies;
Where shall his spirit hide who help denies?
Saying "No" to a beggar takes away his life. (but as that very word will kill the refuser) where then would the latter s life hide itself
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