Duty to Society
Payanmaram Ulloorp Pazhuththatraal Selvam / Nayanutai Yaankan Patin
Classical English couplet — “A tree that fruits in th' hamlet's central mart,Is wealth that falls to men of liberal heart”
What it says in plain words
“Wealth in a caring person's hands can help everyone around them. It is like a tree full of ripe fruit in the town's center.”
The classical Tamil reading
ஒப்புராவாகிய நற்பண்பு உடையவனிடம் செல்வம் சேர்ந்தால் அஃது ஊரின் நடுவே உள்ள பயன் மிகுந்த மரம் பழங்கள் பழுத்தாற் போன்றது.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
ஈர நெஞ்சம் கொண்டவனிடம் செல்வம் சேருமேயானால் அது, ஊரின் நடுவே செழித்து வளர்ந்த மரம், பழுத்துக் குலுங்குவது போல எல்லோர்க்கும் பயன்படுவதாகும்
The ethical and philosophical heart
A fruit tree in the town's center offers food nearby. In the same way, a caring person uses wealth to help others. Their money can provide meals or meet other everyday needs. The key is making wealth useful to others, rather than keeping every benefit for yourself.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- You use some spare money to buy groceries for a neighbor in need.
- Workplace
- A shop owner uses some profits to provide lunch for staff.
- Family
- A family shares its garden fruit with people living nearby.
- Society
- Local donors pay for a drinking water tap everyone can use.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- When spending spare money, consider who else it could help.
- Integrity
- Put your care into action by sharing what you can.
- Communication
- Ask people what they need before choosing how to help.
- Leadership
- Use the resources you manage to support the people around you.
- Governance
- Use public money for services that people across the community can access.
For leaders and teams
A caring leader helps good resources reach more people. Use what you manage to meet real needs around you.
Something to sit with
“What could you share today to make life easier for someone nearby?”