Tirukural

CHAPTER 22

Understanding One’s Duty to Give

211

The benevolent expect no return for their dutiful giving. How can the world ever repay the rain cloud?§

212

It is to meet the needs of the deserving that the worthy work so hard to acquire wealth.§

213

Of all duties, none is better than benevolence, whether in this world or that of the Gods.§

214

He who understands the duty of giving truly lives. All others shall be counted among the dead.§

215

The wealth of a community-loving wise man may be likened to a well-filled village water tank.§

216

Riches retained by the big-hearted resemble fruits ripening on a tree in the heart of a village.§

217

In the hands of a generous man, wealth is like a medicinal tree whose healing gifts help all.§

218

Those who know duty deeply never neglect giving, even in their own unprosperous season.§

219

The benevolent man considers himself poor only when he is unable to render his accustomed duty to humanity.§

220

Were it said that loss of wealth is the price of generosity, such loss would be worth selling one’s self to acquire.§