Tirukkural-On Virtue-On Being Grateful-Kural 102

Timely help, though small, is of Greater value than all the earth.

In this Kural the timeliness of the help is stressed. Any little help rendered at the greatest need, though of insignificant dimensions as regards its absolute worth, takes on an immense value in the particular context.

'Liberality consists rather in giving seasonably than much'.

The same idea of timeliness has been picturesquely brought out in the following Kural in the chapter on 'Friendship' (xxxx) where Valluvar compares a true friend's response, at the time of need to the reflexes or the hand that hastens to hold up the slipping garment.

Udukai ilandhavan kai pola aangae
idukkan kalaivadhaam peridhu.

But the present Kural extends timely help beyond friendship to any person.