Chapter 53: Cherishing Kinsmen

பற்றற்ற கண்ணும் பழைமைபா ராட்டுதல்
சுற்றத்தார் கண்ணே உள.

Patratra Kannum Pazhaimaipaa Raattudhal
Sutraththaar Kanne Ula

Let fortunes go; yet kinsmen know The old accustomed love to show

Meaning: Even when (a man's) property is all gone, relatives will act towards him with their accustomed (kindness)

விருப்பறாச் சுற்றம் இயையின் அருப்பறா
ஆக்கம் பலவும் தரும்.

Virupparaach Chutram Iyaiyin Arupparaa
Aakkam Palavum Tharum

The gift of loving Kins bestows Fadeless fortune's fresh flowers

Meaning: If (a man's) relatives remain attached to him with unchanging love, it will be a source of everincreasing wealth

அளவளா வில்லாதான் வாழ்க்கை குளவளாக்
கோடின்றி நீர்நிறைந் தற்று.

Alavalaa Villaadhaan Vaazhkkai Kulavalaak
Kotindri Neernirain Thatru

A kinless wealth is like a tank Which overflows without a bank

Meaning: The wealth of one who does not mingle freely with his relatives, will be like the filling of water in a

சுற்றத்தால் சுற்றப் படஒழுகல் செல்வந்தான்
பெற்றத்தால் பெற்ற பயன்.

Sutraththaal Sutrap Pataozhukal Selvandhaan
Petraththaal Petra Payan

The fruit of growing wealth is gained When kith and kin are happy found

Meaning: To live surrounded by relatives, is the advantage to be derived from the acquisition of wealth

கொடுத்தலும் இன்சொலும் ஆற்றின் அடுக்கிய
சுற்றத்தால் சுற்றப் படும்.

Kotuththalum Insolum Aatrin Atukkiya
Sutraththaal Sutrap Patum

Loving words and liberal hand Encircle kith and kin around

Meaning: He will be surrounded by numerous relatives who manifests generosity and affability

பெருங்கொடையான் பேணான் வெகுளி அவனின்
மருங்குடையார் மாநிலத்து இல்.

Perungotaiyaan Penaan Vekuli Avanin
Marungutaiyaar Maanilaththu Il

Large giver and wrathless man Commands on earth countless kinsmen

Meaning: No one, in all the world, will have so many relatives (about him), as he who makes large gift, and does not give way to anger

காக்கை கரவா கரைந்துண்ணும் ஆக்கமும்
அன்னநீ ரார்க்கே உள.

Kaakkai Karavaa Karaindhunnum Aakkamum
Annanee Raarkke Ula

The crows hide not; thy call and eat Welfare abides a man of heart

Meaning: The crows do not conceal (their prey), but will call out for others (to share with them) while they eat it; wealth will be with those who show a similar disposition (towards their relatives)

பொதுநோக்கான் வேந்தன் வரிசையா நோக்கின்
அதுநோக்கி வாழ்வார் பலர்.

Podhunokkaan Vendhan Varisaiyaa Nokkin
Adhunokki Vaazhvaar Palar

From public gaze when kings perceive Each one's merits so many thrive

Meaning: Many relatives will live near a king, when they observe that he does not look on all alike, but that he looks on each man according to his merit

தமராகிக் தற்றுறந்தார் சுற்றம் அமராமைக்
காரணம் இன்றி வரும்.

Thamaraakik Thatrurandhaar Sutram Amaraamaik
Kaaranam Indri Varum

Forsaken friends will come and stay When cause for discord goes away

Meaning: Those who have been friends and have afterwards forsaken him, will return and join themselves (to him), when the cause of disagreement is not to be found in him

உழைப்பிரிந்து காரணத்தின் வந்தானை வேந்தன்
இழைத் திருந்து எண்ணிக் கொளல்.

Uzhaippirindhu Kaaranaththin Vandhaanai Vendhan
Izhaith Thirundhu Ennik Kolal

Who leaves and returns with motive The king should test him and receive

Meaning: When one may have left him, and for some cause has returned to him, let the king fulfil the object (for which he has come back) and thoughtfully receive him again