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நன்றியில் செல்வம்: Wealth without Benefaction
About this chapter
நன்றியில் செல்வம், wealth without benefaction, is a chapter about the miser: the person who earns and keeps wealth but neither enjoys nor shares it. Chapter 76 praised wealth honestly earned. This chapter shows what wealth is worth when it is only hoarded.
Kural 1001 says one who does not enjoy his large store is as good as dead. Kural 1002 gives a harsh warning for the blind miser, a lowly rebirth. Kural 1003 says that people who hoard and do not want fame are a burden to the earth. Kural 1004 asks what legacy a man whom nobody likes can leave. Kural 1005 holds that those who neither give nor enjoy are poor, whatever piled-up millions they have. Kural 1006 says the miser is a disease to his own wealth, and Kural 1007 compares such wealth to a beautiful woman growing old alone. Kural 1008 offers the most vivid picture, wealth of a person nobody loves being like a poison tree that fruits in the middle of the town. Kural 1009 warns that wealth gathered by giving up love and virtue is taken by others. Kural 1010 closes on a contrast, with a generous person's brief poverty like a cloud that has run dry for a while.
Kural 1005 and Kural 1008 are the two to learn.
For the syllabus, it fits universal values and the ethics of wealth, and pairs well with chapter 22 on duty to society and chapter 23 on giving.
The 10 kurals of நன்றியில் செல்வம்
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
வைத்தான்வாய் சான்ற பெரும்பொருள் அஃதுண்ணான்
செத்தான் செயக்கிடந்தது இல்.
Vaiththaanvaai Saandra Perumporul Aqdhunnaan
Seththaan Seyakkitandhadhu Il
Who fills his house with ample store, enjoying none, Is dead Nought with the useless heap is done
பொருளானாம் எல்லாமென்று ஈயாது இவறும்
மருளானாம் மாணாப் பிறப்பு
Porulaanaam Ellaamendru Eeyaadhu Ivarum
Marulaanaam Maanaap Pirappu
Who giving nought, opines from wealth all blessing springs, Degraded birth that doting miser's folly brings
ஈட்டம் இவறி இசைவேண்டா ஆடவர்
தோற்றம் நிலக்குப் பொறை.
Eettam Ivari Isaiventaa Aatavar
Thotram Nilakkup Porai
Who lust to heap up wealth, but glory hold not dear, It burthens earth when on the stage of being they appear
எச்சமென்று என்எண்ணுங் கொல்லோ ஒருவரால்
நச்சப் படாஅ தவன்.
Echchamendru Enennung Kollo Oruvaraal
Nachchap Pataaa Thavan
Whom no one loves, when he shall pass away, What doth he look to leave behind, I pray
கொடுப்பதூஉம் துய்ப்பதூஉம் இல்லார்க்கு அடுக்கிய
கோடியுண் டாயினும் இல்.
Kotuppadhooum Thuyppadhooum Illaarkku Atukkiya
Kotiyun Taayinum Il
Amid accumulated millions they are poor, Who nothing give and nought enjoy of all they store
ஏதம் பெருஞ்செல்வம் தான்துவ்வான் தக்கார்க்கொன்று
ஈதல் இயல்பிலா தான்.
Edham Perunjelvam Thaandhuvvaan Thakkaarkkondru
Eedhal Iyalpilaa Thaan
Their ample wealth is misery to men of churlish heart, Who nought themselves enjoy, and nought to worthy men impart
அற்றார்க்கொன்று ஆற்றாதான் செல்வம் மிகநலம்
பெற்றாள் தமியள்மூத் தற்று.
Atraarkkondru Aatraadhaan Selvam Mikanalam
Petraal Thamiyalmooth Thatru
Like woman fair in lonelihood who aged grows, Is wealth of him on needy men who nought bestows
நச்சப் படாதவன் செல்வம் நடுவூருள்
நச்சு மரம்பழுத் தற்று.
Nachchap Pataadhavan Selvam Natuvoorul
Nachchu Marampazhuth Thatru
When he whom no man loves exults in great prosperity,'Tis as when fruits in midmost of the town some poisonous tree
அன்பொரீஇத் தற்செற்று அறநோக்காது ஈட்டிய
ஒண்பொருள் கொள்வார் பிறர்.
Anporeeith Tharsetru Aranokkaadhu Eettiya
Onporul Kolvaar Pirar
Who love abandon, self-afflict, and virtue's way forsakeTo heap up glittering wealth, their hoards shall others take
சீருடைச் செல்வர் சிறுதுனி மாரி
வறங்கூர்ந் தனையது உடைத்து.
Seerutaich Chelvar Sirudhuni Maari
Varangoorn Thanaiyadhu Utaiththu
'Tis as when rain cloud in the heaven grows day, When generous wealthy man endures brief poverty
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