Tirukural

CHAPTER 25

Possession of Compassion

241

Among the wealthy, compassionate men claim the richest wealth, for material wealth is possessed even by contemptible men.§

242

Find and follow the good path, ruled by compassion. Of the many ways, that one leads to liberation.§

243

Those whose hearts are drawn toward mercy will never be drawn into the dark and woeful world.§

244

Kindly ones who lovingly protect all life need never dread hurt from the actions of their own life.§

245

This wide and wind-swept fertile Earth is witness to the truth that misery is not for kind-hearted men.§

246

They say those who act cruelly by forsaking kindness must have forgotten what it means to forsake virtue.§

247

As this world is not for the penniless, so is that world not for the pitiless!§

248

Those without wealth may one day prosper, but those without kindness are utterly and incurably poor.§

249

Practicing charity without compassion is as inconceivable as realizing God without clarity of mind.§

250

Before proceeding against men weaker than yourself, ponder when you stood before those more powerful.§