Chapter 58: The Kindly Look

Verse 577
At a roadside temple beggars are lined on either side of the path. One woman with a kindly look offers coins to the beggar, whereas the other woman turns away from them with a scowl.

TAKA Presents the Tirukural

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Weaver’s Wisdom

Verse 571

The fairest graciousness, they say, is a kindly look.
Wherever it thrives, the whole world flourishes.

Verse 572

It is compassion that sustains the world’s existence.
The existence of those bereft of it is a burden to the Earth.

Verse 573

What use is melody in an unmusical song?
What use are eyes that express no sympathy?

Verse 574

Other than being facial ornaments, what do eyes
with no quality of kindness really do?

Verse 575

A compassionate glance is the eyes’ true ornament.
Without such kindness, eyes become unsightly sores.

Verse 576

Eyes that remain unmoved by pity might as well
be unmovable tree stumps bound in earth.

Verse 577

Those who lack a kindly look are indeed without eyes,
and those who truly have eyes never lack a gracious look.

Verse 578

This world belongs to those who, while neglecting no duty,
never neglect to behold others benevolently.

Verse 579

To grant forbearing kindness even to those
who aggrieve us is the foremost of virtues.

Verse 580

Desiring to be gracious above all else, guests may politely accept
even poison they watched their host prepare and serve.