Thirukkural- On Virtue- Compassion-Kural-248

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Worldly wealth once lost may be recouped,But compassion lost cannot be made up.

There is hope for people who have lost their possessions. They may in due course recover and flourish once again. But there is no hope at all for those who have failed in their duty of compassion. Valluvar's idea is obviously based on the observed facts of life; loss or gain of worldly possessions does occur alternately in life, but the delicate art of the spirit, known as compassion, has to be cherished and nurtured, if one aspires for its continued possession.