Tirukural

CHAPTER 76

The Ways of Acquiring Wealth

751

There is nothing like wealth for lending consequence to an inconsequential man.§

752

Those who have nothing have everyone’s contempt, while the rich are exalted by one and all.§

753

Wealth is an unfailing lamp whose light reaches every imaginable land, dispelling darkness.§

754

Riches acquired by mindful means, in a manner that harms no one, will bring both piety and pleasure.§

755

Wealth acquired without compassion and love is to be cast off, not embraced.§

756

Wealth with no owner, wealth of defeated foes, wealth from tax and customs—these constitute the royal revenues.§

757

Compassion, which is the child of Love, requires for its care the bountiful nurse called Wealth.§

758

Undertaking an enterprise with sufficient resources in hand is like standing on a hilltop watching elephants fight below.§

759

Make money—that is the sharpest scalpel for paring down an enemy’s pride.§

760

Having acquired affluence, the acquisition of two other treasures—duty and delight—is effortless.§