Poverty
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iṟpiṟantār kaṇṇēyu miṉmai yiḷivanta / coṟpiṟakkuñ cōrvu tarum.
Even in those born to a good house, want produces the slackening out of which demeaning words are born.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“From penury will spring, 'mid even those of noble race, / Oblivion that gives birth to words that bring disgrace.”
“Want will drive even men of high family to forget their dignity and to speak the language of abject servility.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
இற்பிறந்தார் கண்ணேயும்= இளிவந்த சொற்பிறவாத குடிப்பிறந்தார் மாட்டேயும்; இளிவந்த சொற்பிறக்கும் சோர்வு இன்மை தரும்= அது பிறத்தற்கு ஏதுவாகிய சோர்வினை நல்குரவு உண்டாக்கும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Even in those born to a house where a demeaning word is never spoken, want brings on the slackness out of which such a word is born.