Duty to Society
Thaalaatrith Thandha Porulellaam Thakkaarkku / Velaanmai Seydhar Poruttu
Classical English couplet — “The worthy say, when wealth rewards their toil-spent hours,For uses of beneficence alone 'tis ours”
What it says in plain words
“The wealth you earn through hard work should help others. Its purpose is to support people who deserve that help.”
The classical Tamil reading
ஒப்புரவாளன் தன்னால் இயன்ற முயற்சி செய்து சேர்த்த பொருள் எல்லாம் தக்கவர்க்கு உதவி செய்வதற்கே ஆகும்.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
தகுதியுடையோர் நலனுக்கு உதவிடும் பொருட்டே ஒருவன் முயன்று திரட்டிய பொருள் பயன்பட வேண்டும்
The ethical and philosophical heart
Hard work brings money that can make a difference beyond your home. The couplet asks us to use wealth to help others. This means thinking carefully about whom our money can support. Paying for someone's schoolbooks or medical care puts this purpose into practice.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- You use part of your earnings to buy medicine for a neighbor who cannot afford it.
- Workplace
- A business owner uses some profits to help struggling workers pay school fees.
- Family
- Your family sets aside money to support a relative who needs medical care.
- Society
- Local people pool their earnings to buy school supplies for children who need them.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- When planning your spending, consider whose needs your earnings could help meet.
- Integrity
- Follow through when you promise money for someone's care.
- Communication
- Ask people what help they need before deciding how to spend.
- Leadership
- Use some of your group's resources to support people facing hardship.
- Governance
- Direct public funds toward useful support for people who need it.
For leaders and teams
Show those you lead that success can support others. Make helping people a clear purpose when deciding how to use money.
Something to sit with
“How could some of your hard-earned money help someone who needs support today?”