Duty to Society
Ooruni Neernirain Thatre Ulakavaam / Perari Vaalan Thiru
Classical English couplet — “The wealth of men who love the 'fitting way,' the truly wise,Is as when water fills the lake that village needs supplies”
What it says in plain words
“A wise person uses their wealth to help the community. Their wealth is like a full village pond that supplies everyone's water.”
The classical Tamil reading
ஒப்புரவினால் உலகம் வாழுமாறு விரும்பும் பேரறிவாளியின் செல்வம், ஊரார் நீருண்ணும் குளம் நீரால் நிறைந்தாற் போன்றது.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
பொதுநல நோக்குடன் வாழ்கின்ற பேரறிவாளனின் செல்வமானது ஊர் மக்கள் அனைவருக்கும் பயன் தரும் நீர் நிறைந்த ஊருணியைப் போன்றதாகும்
The ethical and philosophical heart
A full village pond gives people water for daily life. In the same way, a wise person's wealth supports others. The key is using wealth for everyone's good. Money can meet shared needs, such as food, water, and health care.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- You use some spare money to support a local food bank.
- Workplace
- A business owner pays to repair a public drinking fountain.
- Family
- Your family helps buy groceries for neighbors who cannot afford them.
- Society
- People with money help fund a clinic that serves the whole community.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- Consider how your spending can help meet a shared need.
- Integrity
- Use money for the public good when that is its purpose.
- Communication
- Ask people what they need before deciding how to help.
- Leadership
- Use the funds you manage to help more people.
- Governance
- Spend public money on services that meet people's everyday needs.
For leaders and teams
Treat the money you manage as a source of shared benefit. Like a full village pond, it can support many lives.
Something to sit with
“What shared need could you help meet with the money you have today?”