Chapter 22 – Duty to Society / Oppuravaridhal
Couplets / kuratpaakal
Couplet 211
Duty demands no recompense; to clouds of heaven,
By men on earth, what answering gift is given.
Explanation
Benevolence seeks not a return. What does the world give back to the clouds?
Transliteration
Kaimmaaru Ventaa Katappaatu Maarimaattu
En Aatrung Kollo Ulaku.
Couplet 212
The worthy say, when wealth rewards their toil-spent hours,
For uses of beneficence alone ’tis ours.
Explanation
All the wealth acquired with perseverance by the worthy is for the exercise of benevolence.
Transliteration
Thaalaatrith Thandha Porulellaam Thakkaarkku
Velaanmai Seydhar Poruttu.
Couplet 213
To ‘due beneficence’ no equal good we know,
Amid the happy gods, or in this world below.
Explanation
It is difficult to obtain another good equal to benevolence either in this world or in that of the gods.
Transliteration
Puththe Lulakaththum Eentum Peralaridhe
Oppuravin Nalla Pira.
Couplet 214
Who knows what’s human life’s befitting grace,
He lives; the rest ‘mongst dead men have their place.
Explanation
He truly lives who knows (and discharges) the proper duties (of benevolence) He who knows them not will be reckoned among the dead.
Transliteration
Oththa Tharavon Uyirvaazhvaan Matraiyaan
Seththaarul Vaikkap Patum.
Couplet 215
The wealth of men who love the ‘fitting way,’ the truly wise,
Is as when water fills the lake that village needs supplies.
Explanation
The wealth of that man of eminent knowledge who desires to exercise the benevolence approved of by the world, is like the full waters of a city-tank.
Transliteration
Ooruni Neernirain Thatre Ulakavaam
Perari Vaalan Thiru.
Couplet 216
A tree that fruits in th’ hamlet’s central mart,
Is wealth that falls to men of liberal heart.
Explanation
The wealth of a man (possessed of the virtue) of benevolence is like the ripening of a fruitful tree in the midst of a town.
Transliteration
Payanmaram Ulloorp Pazhuththatraal Selvam
Nayanutai Yaankan Patin.
Couplet 217
Unfailing tree that healing balm distils from every part,
Is ample wealth that falls to him of large and noble heart.
Explanation
If wealth be in the possession of a man who has the great excellence (of benevolence), it is like a tree which as a medicine is an infallible cure for disease.
Transliteration
Marundhaakith Thappaa Maraththatraal Selvam
Perundhakai Yaankan Patin.
Couplet 218
E’en when resources fall, they weary not of ‘kindness due,’-
They to whom Duty’s self appears in vision true.
Explanation
The wise who know what is duty will not scant their benevolence even when they are without wealth.
Transliteration
Itanil Paruvaththum Oppuravirku Olkaar
Katanari Kaatchi Yavar.
Couplet 219
The kindly-hearted man is poor in this alone,
When power of doing deeds of goodness he finds none.
Explanation
The poverty of a benevolent man, is nothing but his inability to exercise the same.
Transliteration
Nayanutaiyaan Nalkoorndhaa Naadhal Seyumneera
Seyyaadhu Amaikalaa Vaaru.
Couplet 220
Though by ‘beneficence,’ the loss of all should come,
‘Twere meet man sold himself, and bought it with the sum.
Explanation
If it be said that loss will result from benevolence, such loss is worth being procured even by the sale of one’s self.
Transliteration
Oppuravi Naalvarum Ketenin Aqdhoruvan
Vitrukkol Thakka Thutaiththu.
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