Tirukural

CHAPTER 11

Gratitude

101

The bounty of Heaven and Earth are scant repayment for help rendered though no help was received.§

102

A kindness done in the hour of need may itself be small, but in worth it exceeds the whole world.§

103

When help is given by weighing the recipient’s need and not the donor’s reward, its goodness is greater than the sea.§

104

While aid may outwardly seem as puny as a mustard seed, those who know will deem it as imposing as a towering palm.§

105

Help rendered another cannot be measured by the extent of assistance given. Its real measure is the recipient’s worthiness.§

106

Never forget fellowship with pure souls, nor forsake friendship with those who aided you in adversity.§

107

For seven lives in seven bodies the grateful will remember friends who relieved their anguish and affliction.§

108

It is improper to ever forget a kindness, but good to forget at once an injury received.§

109

The deadliest injury is effaced the moment the mind recalls a single kindness received from the injurer.§

110

Having killed every kind of goodness, one may yet be saved, but there is no redemption for those who let gratitude die.§