உழைக்கும் சக்தி அற்றவர்க்கு உதவும் உள்ளம் உடையவன் வறியவன் ஆவது, செய்யக்கூடிய உதவிகளைப் பிறர்க்குச் செய்யமுடியாது வருந்தும் போதுதான்.

பிறர்க்கு உதவி செய்வதையே கடமையாகக் கொண்ட பெருந்தகையாளன் ஒருவன், வறுமையடைந்து விட்டான் என்பதை உணர்த்துவது அவனால் பிறர்க்கு உதவிட முடியாமல் செயலிழந்து போகும் நிலைமைதான்

ஒப்புரவாகிய நற்பண்பு உடையவன் வறுமை உடையவனாதல், செய்யத்தக்க உதவிகளைச் செய்யாமல் வருந்துகின்ற தன்மையாகும்.

The poverty of a benevolent man, is nothing but his inability to exercise the same

Kural 219 speaks about the nature of benevolent individuals who are deeply moved by the suffering of others and feel it their duty to assist in alleviating such distress. The verse suggests that the true poverty of these individuals lies not in their lack of material wealth, but in their inability to help others due to their circumstances. In other words, the real deprivation for a kind-hearted person is the incapacity to act on their inherent generosity and provide aid to those in need. This inability to exercise their benevolence, due to their own lack of resources, is what causes these individuals the most distress, rather than the poverty itself. The verse gives us a profound insight into the value system of such individuals, where the act of giving and helping is seen as more important and fulfilling than material possessions. It highlights the universal moral principle of compassion and empathy, emphasizing that the true measure of a person's wealth is not what they have, but what they can give to others. Hence, the verse encourages us to cultivate and value the qualities of kindness and generosity, reminding us that the inability to help others in need is the real poverty.