Chapter 11: Gratitude

செய்யாமல் செய்த உதவிக்கு வையகமும்
வானகமும் ஆற்றல் அரிது.

Seyyaamal Seydha Udhavikku Vaiyakamum
Vaanakamum Aatral Aridhu

Unhelped in turn good help given Exceeds in worth earth and heaven

Meaning: (The gift of) heaven and earth is not an equivalent for a benefit which is conferred where none had been received

காலத்தி னாற்செய்த நன்றி சிறிதெனினும்
ஞாலத்தின் மாணப் பெரிது.

Kaalaththi Naarseydha Nandri Siridheninum
Gnaalaththin Maanap Peridhu

A help rendered in hour of need Though small is greater than the world

Meaning: A favour conferred in the time of need, though it be small (in itself), is (in value) much larger than the world

பயன்தூக்கார் செய்த உதவி நயன்தூக்கின்
நன்மை கடலின் பெரிது.

Payandhookkaar Seydha Udhavi Nayandhookkin
Nanmai Katalin Peridhu

Help rendered without weighing fruits Outweighs the sea in grand effects

Meaning: If we weigh the excellence of a benefit which is conferred without weighing the return, it is larger than the sea

தினைத்துணை நன்றி செயினும் பனைத்துணையாக்
கொள்வர் பயன்தெரி வார்.

Thinaiththunai Nandri Seyinum Panaiththunaiyaak
Kolvar Payandheri Vaar

Help given though millet-small Knowers count its good palm-tree tall

Meaning: Though the benefit conferred be as small as a millet seed, those who know its advantage will consider it as large as a palmyra fruit

உதவி வரைத்தன்று உதவி உதவி
செயப்பட்டார் சால்பின் வரைத்து.

Udhavi Varaiththandru Udhavi Udhavi
Seyappattaar Saalpin Varaiththu

A help is not the help's measure It is gainer's worth and pleasure

Meaning: The benefit itself is not the measure of the benefit; the worth of those who have received it is its measure

மறவற்க மாசற்றார் கேண்மை துறவற்க
துன்பத்துள் துப்பாயார் நட்பு.

Maravarka Maasatraar Kenmai Thuravarka
Thunpaththul Thuppaayaar Natpu

Forget not friendship of the pure Forsake not timely helpers sure

Meaning: Forsake not the friendship of those who have been your staff in adversity Forget not be benevolence of the blameless

எழுமை எழுபிறப்பும் உள்ளுவர் தங்கண்
விழுமந் துடைத்தவர் நட்பு.

Ezhumai Ezhupirappum Ulluvar Thangan
Vizhuman Thutaiththavar Natpu

Through sevenfold births, in memory fares The willing friend who wiped one's tears

Meaning: (The wise) will remember throughout their seven-fold births the love of those who have wiped away their affliction

நன்றி மறப்பது நன்றன்று நன்றல்லது
அன்றே மறப்பது நன்று.

Nandri Marappadhu Nandrandru Nandralladhu
Andre Marappadhu Nandru

To forget good turns is not good Good it is over wrong not to brood

Meaning: It is not good to forget a benefit; it is good to forget an injury even in the very moment (in which it is inflicted)

கொன்றன்ன இன்னா செயினும் அவர்செய்த
ஒன்றுநன்று உள்ளக் கெடும்.

Kondranna Innaa Seyinum Avarseydha
Ondrunandru Ullak Ketum

Let deadly harms be forgotten While remembering one good-turn

Meaning: Though one inflict an injury great as murder, it will perish before the thought of one benefit (formerly) conferred

எந்நன்றி கொன்றார்க்கும் உய்வுண்டாம் உய்வில்லை
செய்ந்நன்றி கொன்ற மகற்கு.

Ennandri Kondraarkkum Uyvuntaam Uyvillai
Seynnandri Kondra Makarku

The virtue-killer may be saved Not benefit-killer who is damned

Meaning: He who has killed every virtue may yet escape; there is no escape for him who has killed a benefit