இல்லாதவர் சென்று தம் நிலையைச் சொன்ன அளவில், சான்றோர் இரங்கிக் கொடுப்பர்; கயவர்களோ கரும்பைப் பிழிவதுபோல் பிழிந்தால்தான் கொடுப்பர்.

குறைகளைச் சொன்னவுடனே சான்றோரிடம் கோரி பயனைப் பெற முடியும்; ஆனால் கயவரிடமோ கரும்பை நசுக்கிப் பிழிவதுபோல், போராடித்தான் கோரிய பயனைப் பெற முடியும்

அணுகி குறைச் சொல்லுகின்ற அளவிலேயே சான்றோர் பயன்படுவர், கரும்புபோல் அழித்துப் பிழிந்தால் தான் கீழ்மக்கள் பயன்படுவர்.

The great bestow (their alms) as soon as they are informed; (but) the mean, like the sugar-cane, only when they are tortured to death

Thiru Kural 1078 examines the contrast in giving between noble and mean spirited individuals. The verse metaphorically compares the act of giving to the process of extracting juice from a sugarcane. The first line states that the virtuous or noble-minded people give readily as soon as they are informed of a need. These individuals do not wait to be coerced or convinced, but rather act immediately upon learning of someone's hardship. Their generosity is spontaneous, and they give with a sense of empathy and compassion. The second line contrasts this with the behaviour of those who are mean-spirited or stingy. These individuals are likened to the sugarcane, which only yields its sweetness when it is crushed or tortured. Similarly, these individuals only give when they are put under extreme pressure or when they have no other choice. Their act of giving is not based on empathy or compassion but is rather a reaction to external pressure. This verse underlines the value of spontaneous and compassionate giving, while criticising the reluctance and lack of empathy shown by the stingy. It encourages us to be more like the noble, ready to help as soon as we come to know of someone's need.