Duty to Society

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 ?.

Tamil Transliteration
Kaimmaaru Ventaa Katappaatu Maarimaattu
En Aatrung Kollo Ulaku.

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.

Tamil Transliteration
Thaalaatrith Thandha Porulellaam Thakkaarkku
Velaanmai Seydhar Poruttu.

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.

Tamil Transliteration
Puththe Lulakaththum Eentum Peralaridhe
Oppuravin Nalla Pira.

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.

Tamil Transliteration
Oththa Tharavon Uyirvaazhvaan Matraiyaan
Seththaarul Vaikkap Patum.

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.

Tamil Transliteration
Ooruni Neernirain Thatre Ulakavaam
Perari Vaalan Thiru.

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.

Tamil Transliteration
Payanmaram Ulloorp Pazhuththatraal Selvam
Nayanutai Yaankan Patin.

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.

Tamil Transliteration
Marundhaakith Thappaa Maraththatraal Selvam
Perundhakai Yaankan Patin.

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.

Tamil Transliteration
Itanil Paruvaththum Oppuravirku Olkaar
Katanari Kaatchi Yavar.

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.

Tamil Transliteration
Nayanutaiyaan Nalkoorndhaa Naadhal Seyumneera
Seyyaadhu Amaikalaa Vaaru.

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.

Tamil Transliteration
Oppuravi Naalvarum Ketenin Aqdhoruvan
Vitrukkol Thakka Thutaiththu.