Mendicancy
Karappilaar Vaiyakaththu Unmaiyaal Kannindru / Irappavar Merkol Vadhu
Classical English couplet — “Because on earth the men exist, who never say them nay,Men bear to stand before their eyes for help to pray”
What it says in plain words
“People in need ask for help because generous people exist. These givers share what they have instead of pretending they have nothing.”
The classical Tamil reading
ஒருவர் முன் நின்று இரப்பவர் அந்த இரத்தலை மேற்கொள்வது, உள்ளதை இல்லை என்று ஒளித்துக்கூறாத நன்மைகள் உலகத்தில் இருப்பதால் தான்.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
உள்ளதை இல்லையென்று மறைக்காமல் வழங்கிடும் பண்புடையோர் உலகில் இருப்பதால்தான் இல்லாதவர்கள், அவர்களிடம் சென்று இரத்தலை மேற்கொண்டுள்ளனர்
The ethical and philosophical heart
Asking for help can feel hard when you have little. Knowing someone will share gives you a reason to approach them. Their willingness to give makes asking for help possible. The couplet points to people who give without hiding what they have.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- You ask a generous friend for food when your money runs out.
- Workplace
- A coworker shares spare supplies when you ask for them.
- Family
- A relative gives you money for medicine instead of pretending they have none.
- Society
- A community kitchen offers food, giving hungry people somewhere to ask for a meal.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- When someone asks for help, consider what you can share.
- Integrity
- Do not pretend you have nothing when you can give.
- Communication
- Let people know what help you can offer them.
- Leadership
- Make it easier to ask by sharing the support you have.
- Governance
- Make available public support easy for people in need to request.
For leaders and teams
People are more willing to ask when leaders share rather than hide. Offer the help you have when someone comes to you.
Something to sit with
“What could you share today with someone who needs help?”