Thirukkural 241 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அருட்செல்வம் செல்வத்துள் செல்வம் பொருட்செல்வம்
பூரியார் கண்ணும் உள.
Transliteration
Arutchelvam Selvaththul Selvam Porutchelvam
Pooriyaar Kannum Ula
Modern English
“Kindness is the richest form of wealth there is, since even the most small-minded, selfish people can still end up with plenty of money.”
Modern Interpretation
Kindness is the richest form of wealth there is, since even the most small-minded, selfish people can still end up with plenty of money. Money alone says nothing about a person's worth. For example, a wealthy person known for cruelty has far less real wealth than a modest person known for genuine compassion.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Kindness is the richest form of wealth there is, since even the most small-minded, selfish people can still end up with plenty of money.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The wealth of wealth is wealth of grace Earthly wealth e'en the basest has
G.U. Pope Translation
Wealth 'mid wealth is wealth 'kindliness';Wealth of goods the vilest too possess
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The wealth of kindness is wealth of wealth, in as much as the wealth of property is possessed by the basest of men
Tamil commentary
செல்வங்கள் பலவற்றுள்ளும் சிறந்தது அருள் என்னும் செல்வமே. பொருட்செல்வம் இழிந்த மனிதரிடமும் உண்டு.
Chapter 25
More from Compassion
அருளுடைமை
The wealth of wealth is wealth of grace Earthly wealth e'en the basest has
Kural 242Seek by sound ways good compassion; All faiths mark that for-salvation
Kural 243The hearts of mercy shall not go Into dark worlds of gruesome woe
Kural 244His soul is free from dread of sins Whose mercy serveth all beings
Kural 245The wide wind-fed world witness bears: Men of mercy meet not sorrows
Kural 246Who grace forsake and graceless act The former loss and woes forget
Kural 247This world is not for weathless ones That world is not for graceless swines
Kural 248The wealthless may prosper one day; The graceless never bloom agay
Kural 249Like Truth twisted by confused mind Wisdom is vain in hearts unkind
Kural 250Think how you feel before the strong When to the feeble you do wrong