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Thirukural-(Risk)Assessment of Relative Strength-Kural 480

Thirukural 480
Ulavarai thookkaadha oppura vanmai
Valavarai vallaik kedum.

Limitless munificence in the sharing of one"s wealth, with those that deserve too,
Will result in final disappearance of that wealth.

In this Kural, the poet would say that, even in the good cause of Social Co-operation, what may be good and even worth the purchase for an individual, cannot be approved in respect of a king or the Financial Administrator of a State.

As Parimel Azhagar said, of a careful total assessment of the State"s income, only a fourth should be set apart for charitable purposes.

This applies equally well to a modern State. It cannot be considered wise or appropriate to spend the bulk of its income on welfare activities. More funds of such activities should be found from the return on productive investments.

When I say welfare activities, I do not refer to investment in people, like Education or Health. These certainly do produce returns later.

But the other welfare amenities could wait for returns from productive investments in each area, to be spent on amenities in that area.

Assessment of Relative strength

Thiruvalluvar in (risk) assessment of relative strength of Thirukkural emphasises on assessment from different angles.

Thirukural

Thirukural is an ethical treatise belonging to Tamil classical literature, written by Thiruvalluvar. In Kural 480, Thiruvalluvar warns of excessive charity which could lead to the disappearance of wealth. Ramanandha Adigalar Foundation with the English translation of Thirukural has made it available for a larger reading mass.

Story first published: Friday, October 22, 2010, 13:56 [IST]