Wealth without Benefaction

Who fills his house with ample store, enjoying none,
Is dead Nought with the useless heap is done

Explanation
He who does not enjoy the immense riches he has heaped up in his house, is (to be reckoned as) dead, (for) there is nothing achieved (by him).

Tamil Transliteration
Vaiththaanvaai Saandra Perumporul Aqdhunnaan
Seththaan Seyakkitandhadhu Il.

Who giving nought, opines from wealth all blessing springs,
Degraded birth that doting miser's folly brings

Explanation
He who knows that wealth yields every pleasure and yet is so blind as to lead miserly life will be born a demon.

Tamil Transliteration
Porulaanaam Ellaamendru Eeyaadhu Ivarum
Marulaanaam Maanaap Pirappu.

Who lust to heap up wealth, but glory hold not dear,
It burthens earth when on the stage of being they appear

Explanation
A burden to the earth are men bent on the acquisition of riches and not (true) fame.

Tamil Transliteration
Eettam Ivari Isaiventaa Aatavar
Thotram Nilakkup Porai.

Whom no one loves, when he shall pass away,
What doth he look to leave behind, I pray

Explanation
What will the miser who is not liked (by any one) regard as his own (in the world to come) ?.

Tamil Transliteration
Echchamendru Enennung Kollo Oruvaraal
Nachchap Pataaa Thavan.

Amid accumulated millions they are poor,
Who nothing give and nought enjoy of all they store

Explanation
Those who neither give (to others) nor enjoy (their property) are (truly) destitute, though possessing immense riches.

Tamil Transliteration
Kotuppadhooum Thuyppadhooum Illaarkku Atukkiya
Kotiyun Taayinum Il.

Their ample wealth is misery to men of churlish heart,
Who nought themselves enjoy, and nought to worthy men impart

Explanation
He who enjoys not (his riches) nor relieves the wants of the worthy is a disease to his wealth.

Tamil Transliteration
Edham Perunjelvam Thaandhuvvaan Thakkaarkkondru
Eedhal Iyalpilaa Thaan.

Like woman fair in lonelihood who aged grows,
Is wealth of him on needy men who nought bestows

Explanation
The wealth of him who never bestows anything on the destitute is like a woman of beauty growing old without a husband.

Tamil Transliteration
Atraarkkondru Aatraadhaan Selvam Mikanalam
Petraal Thamiyalmooth Thatru.

When he whom no man loves exults in great prosperity,
'Tis as when fruits in midmost of the town some poisonous tree

Explanation
The wealth of him who is disliked (by all) is like the fruit-bearing of the etty tree in the midst of a town.

Tamil Transliteration
Nachchap Pataadhavan Selvam Natuvoorul
Nachchu Marampazhuth Thatru.

Who love abandon, self-afflict, and virtue's way forsake
To heap up glittering wealth, their hoards shall others take

Explanation
To heap up glittering wealth, their hoards shall others take.

Tamil Transliteration
Anporeeith Tharsetru Aranokkaadhu Eettiya
Onporul Kolvaar Pirar.

'Tis as when rain cloud in the heaven grows day,
When generous wealthy man endures brief poverty

Explanation
The short-lived poverty of those who are noble and rich is like the clouds becoming poor (for a while).

Tamil Transliteration
Seerutaich Chelvar Sirudhuni Maari
Varangoorn Thanaiyadhu Utaiththu.