The Kural or the Maxims of Tiruvalluvar/Chapter 23
CHAPTER 23
CHARITY
221. Giving to the poor is alone charity : all other giving is of the nature of loan.
222. Though it lead unto heaven, receiving is bad : and though heaven should be denied to the giver, giving alms is a virtue.
223. It is only the high-born man that giveth without ever meanly saying, I have not.
224. The heart of the giver is not glad until he seeth the smile of content on the face of the suppliant.
225. The conquest of conquests to the conqueror over self is the conquest over hunger : but his conquest cometh only after the conquest of him who appeaseth that hunger.[1]
226. To fill the gnawing hunger of the poor: that is the way that the wealthy man should lay up riches for himself.
227. The evil disease called hunger toucheth not the man that divideth his bread with others.
228. The hard of heart who perish their wealth by hoarding it, have not they ever tasted the delight of giving unto others?
229. Bitterer verily than the beggar's bread is the hoarded meal of the miser eating alone.
230. Nothing is bitterer than death: but even death is sweet when one hath not the power to do charity.
- ↑ The jingle is in the original.