Virtue (அறத்துப்பால்) / Domestic Virtue
Chapter 22
ஒப்புரவறிதல்
Duty to Society
Oppuravaridhal. Malay: Menunaikan Tanggungjawab kepada Masyarakat. Kurals 211 to 220.
When helping society, charity and community service.
How to say it
Kaimmaaru Ventaa Katappaatu MaarimaattuEn Aatrung Kollo Ulaku
Meaning in plain English
Benevolence seeks not a return. What does the world give back to the clouds ?
Poetic translation
Duty demands no recompense; to clouds of heaven, By men on earth, what answering gift is given
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Thaalaatrith Thandha Porulellaam ThakkaarkkuVelaanmai Seydhar Poruttu
Meaning in plain English
All the wealth acquired with perseverance by the worthy is for the exercise of benevolence
Poetic translation
The worthy say, when wealth rewards their toil-spent hours, For uses of beneficence alone 'tis ours
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Puththe Lulakaththum Eentum PeralaridheOppuravin Nalla Pira
Meaning in plain English
It is difficult to obtain another good equal to benevolence either in this world or in that of the gods
Poetic translation
To 'due beneficence' no equal good we know, Amid the happy gods, or in this world below
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Oththa Tharavon Uyirvaazhvaan MatraiyaanSeththaarul Vaikkap Patum
Meaning in plain English
He truly lives who knows (and discharges) the proper duties (of benevolence) He who knows them not will be reckoned among the dead
Poetic translation
Who knows what's human life's befitting grace, He lives; the rest 'mongst dead men have their place
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Ooruni Neernirain Thatre UlakavaamPerari Vaalan Thiru
Meaning in plain English
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
Poetic translation
The wealth of men who love the 'fitting way,' the truly wise, Is as when water fills the lake that village needs supplies
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Payanmaram Ulloorp Pazhuththatraal SelvamNayanutai Yaankan Patin
Meaning in plain English
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
Poetic translation
A tree that fruits in th' hamlet's central mart, Is wealth that falls to men of liberal heart
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Marundhaakith Thappaa Maraththatraal SelvamPerundhakai Yaankan Patin
Meaning in plain English
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
Poetic translation
Unfailing tree that healing balm distils from every part, Is ample wealth that falls to him of large and noble heart
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Itanil Paruvaththum Oppuravirku OlkaarKatanari Kaatchi Yavar
Meaning in plain English
The wise who know what is duty will not scant their benevolence even when they are without wealth
Poetic translation
E'en when resources fall, they weary not of 'kindness due,'-They to whom Duty's self appears in vision true
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Nayanutaiyaan Nalkoorndhaa Naadhal SeyumneeraSeyyaadhu Amaikalaa Vaaru
Meaning in plain English
The poverty of a benevolent man, is nothing but his inability to exercise the same
Poetic translation
The kindly-hearted man is poor in this alone, When power of doing deeds of goodness he finds none
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Oppuravi Naalvarum Ketenin AqdhoruvanVitrukkol Thakka Thutaiththu
Meaning in plain English
If it be said that loss will result from benevolence, such loss is worth being procured even by the sale of one's self
Poetic translation
Though by 'beneficence,' the loss of all should come,'Twere meet man sold himself, and bought it with the sum
G. U. Pope, 1886