The Wealth that is not Put to Good Use
The work critiques the nature of wealth and its proper use. It emphasizes that accumulating riches without sharing or enjoying them renders a person lifeless, akin to a corpse. The text condemns misers who hoard wealth, suggesting that such behavior leads to a negative rebirth. It highlights the futility of wealth that is not utilized for the betterment of oneself or society, portraying those who hoard as burdens on the earth. The narrative stresses the importance of social connections and the legacy one leaves behind. Wealth should foster relationships and goodwill; otherwise, it becomes meaningless. The text argues that possessing vast riches without generosity equates to having nothing at all. It likens the unshared wealth to a beautiful woman who remains unloved, emphasizing the loneliness of unutilized fortune. Furthermore, the work critiques wealth acquired without ethical considerations, suggesting that it serves only to benefit outsiders rather than the individual. It warns that the distress experienced by those who give generously is temporary, akin to a rain-cloud that eventually replenishes itself. The overarching message is that wealth should be actively engaged with, shared, and used to foster community and goodwill, rather than hoarded in isolation.
By Thiruvalluvar · First published 2004 · Genre: Philosophical, Didactic, Poetry · 276 words
First lines
Behold the man who hath laid by in his home treasures in abundance but enjoyeth them not: he is as good as dead, for he maketh no use of them.
Behold the miser that thinketh that wealth is all in all and hoardeth it without giving to any: he will be a demon in his next birth.
Behold the men that are always after hoarding but care not for fame: their existence is a burden unto the earth.
The man who careth not to earn the attachment of his neighbours, what doth he hope to leave behind him when he is dead? 37
What this Textopian page supports
The Wealth that is not Put to Good Use is listed on Textopian as an essay by Thiruvalluvar, dated 2004 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Thiruvalluvar
- Date: 2004 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical, Didactic, Poetry, Social Commentary, Religious
- Length: 276 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Wealth that is not Put to Good Use by Thiruvalluvar
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Wealth that is not Put to Good Use?
- How does this essay by Thiruvalluvar fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Philosophical first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Charity by Thiruvalluvar
- The Neglecting Of Instruction by Thiruvalluvar
- Abstaining From Fraud by Thiruvalluvar
- Begging by Thiruvalluvar
- Glory by Thiruvalluvar
- The Degraded Life by Thiruvalluvar
Genres
- Philosophical — The text explores deep moral and ethical questions regarding the use of wealth and its implications on human existence.
- Didactic — The work serves to instruct readers on the importance of generosity and the consequences of hoarding wealth.
- Poetry — The writing style employs poetic devices and metaphors to convey its messages about wealth and morality.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques societal attitudes towards wealth and the responsibilities that come with it.
Tags
Philosophy · Economics · Ethics · Morality · Wealth · Poverty · Social Justice · Human Nature · Self-Improvement · Personal Growth · Spirituality · Materialism