Benignity
Ulapol Mukaththevan Seyyum Alavinaal / Kannottam Illaadha Kan
Classical English couplet — “The seeming eye of face gives no expressive light,When not with duly meted kindness bright”
What it says in plain words
“What good are eyes if they show no kindness where needed? Without such care, they only seem to serve a purpose.”
The classical Tamil reading
தக்க அளவிற்குக் கண்ணோட்டம் இல்லாத கண்கள் முகத்தில் உள்ளவை போல் தோன்றுதல் அல்லாமல் வேறு என்ன பயன் செய்யும்.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
அகத்தில் அன்பையும் இரக்கத்தையும் சுரக்கச் செய்யாத கண்கள் முகத்தில் உள்ளவைபோல் தோன்றுவதைத் தவிர, வேறு எந்தப்பயனும் இல்லாதவைகளாகும்
The ethical and philosophical heart
The couplet asks us to do more than simply look. Seeing another person's trouble should bring out love and care. Eyes find their deeper purpose when we see others with kindness. In daily life, this means noticing needs and offering suitable help.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- You notice a friend seems upset and offer to listen.
- Workplace
- You see a coworker struggling and help with a difficult task.
- Family
- You notice someone looks tired and offer to prepare dinner.
- Society
- You see someone struggling with heavy bags and ask whether they need help.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- Consider people's needs before choosing how best to help.
- Integrity
- Let the kindness you show reflect care you truly feel.
- Communication
- Notice when someone seems troubled and ask a gentle question.
- Leadership
- Pay attention to people's difficulties and offer help that fits.
- Governance
- Listen to people facing hardship and shape services around their needs.
For leaders and teams
A caring leader does more than notice when someone struggles. Turn attention into suitable help, whether at home or work.
Something to sit with
“Who around you might need a little more care today, and what could you offer?”