Thirukkural Chapter 101 - Wealth without Benefaction


Couplet 1001 
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)

Couplet 1002 
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

Couplet 1003 
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

Couplet 1004 
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)?

Couplet 1005 
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

Couplet 1006 
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

Couplet 1007 
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

Couplet 1008 
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

Couplet 1009 
Who love abandon, self-afflict, and virtue's way forsake
To heap up glittering wealth, their hoards shall others take
Explanation
Strangers will inherit the riches that have been acquired without regard for friendship, comfort and charity.

Couplet 1010 
'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)