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Tirukural - Chapter 25


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Part I: On Virtue

Section I: Prologue

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Section III: The Way of The Renunciate

Chapter 25: Possession of Compassion


Verse 242
A road through the fields and groves splits. To the left is the path of darkness. To the right is the golden path of compassion where we see everyone helping one another and showing kindness.


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Weaver's Wisdom


Verse 241

Among the wealthy, compassionate men claim the richest wealth,
for material wealth is possessed even by contemptible men.

Verse 242

Find and follow the good path, ruled by compassion.
Of the many ways, that one leads to liberation.

Verse 243

Those whose hearts are drawn toward mercy
will never be drawn into the dark and woeful world.

Verse 244

Kindly ones who lovingly protect all life
need never dread hurt from the actions of their own life.

Verse 245

This wide and wind-swept fertile Earth is witness to the truth
that misery is not for kind-hearted men.

Verse 246

They say those who act cruelly by forsaking kindness
must have forgotten what it means to forsake virtue.

Verse 247

As this world is not for the penniless,
so is that world not for the pitiless!

Verse 248

Those without wealth may one day prosper,
but those without kindness are utterly and incurably poor.

Verse 249

Practicing charity without compassion is as inconceivable
as realizing God without clarity of mind.

Verse 250

Before proceeding against men weaker than yourself,
ponder when you stood before those more powerful.

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