Begging
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irattalu mītalē pōluṅ karattal / kaṉavilun tēṟṟātār māṭṭu.
“Like giving alms, may even asking pleasant seem, / From men who of denial never even dream.”
“Behold the man who sayeth not nay to a request even in a dream: begging at the hands of such a man is as honourable as bestowing itself.”
Asking help from those who never dream of withholding is as noble as giving itself.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
கரத்தல் கனவிலும் தேற்றாதார் மாட்டு இரத்தலும்= தமக்கு உள்ளது கரத்தலைக் கனவின்கண்ணும் அறியாதார் மாட்டுச் சென்று ஒன்றனை இரத்தலும்; ஈதலே போலும்= வறியார்க்கு ஈதலே போலும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Going and asking assistance from those who would never dream of concealing their resources is as noble and joyful as giving itself.