PART II. WEALTH - Miscellaneous
Chapter. 100. Courtesy
Kural - 991
Who easy access give to every man, they say,
Of kindly courtesy will learn with ease the way.
If one is easy of access to all, it will be easy for one to obtain the virtue called goodness.
Kural - 992
Benevolence and high born dignity,
These two are beaten paths of courtesy.
Affectionateness and birth in a good family, these two constitute what is called a proper behaviour to all.
Kural - 993
Men are not one because their members seem alike to outward view;
Similitude of kindred quality makes likeness true.
Resemblance of bodies is no resemblance of souls; true resemblance is the resemblance of qualities that attract.
Kural - 994
Of men of fruitful life, who kindly benefits dispense,
The world unites to praise the 'noble excellence.'
The world applauds the character of those whose usefulness results from their equity and charity.
Kural - 995
Contempt is evil though in sport. They who man's nature know,
E'en in their wrath, a courteous mind will show.
Reproach is painful to one even in sport; those (therefore) who know the nature of others exhibit (pleasing) qualities even when they are hated.
Kural - 996
The world abides; for 'worthy' men its weight sustain.
Were it not so, 'twould fall to dust again.
The (way of the) world subsists by contact with the good; if not, it would bury itself in the earth and perish.
Kural - 997
Though sharp their wit as file, as blocks they must remain,
Whose souls are void of 'courtesy humane'.
He who is destitute of (true) human qualities (only) resembles a tree, though he may possess the sharpness of a file.
Kural - 998
Though men with all unfriendly acts and wrongs assail,
'Tis uttermost disgrace in 'courtesy' to fail.
It is wrong (for the wise) not to exhibit (good) qualities even towards those who bearing no friendship (for them) do only what is hateful.
Kural - 999
To him who knows not how to smile in kindly mirth,
Darkness in daytime broods o'er all the vast and mighty earth.
To those who cannot rejoice, the wide world is buried darkness even in (broad) day light.
Kural - 1000
Like sweet milk soured because in filthy vessel poured,
Is ample wealth in churlish man's unopened coffers stored.
The great wealth obtained by one who has no goodness will perish like pure milk spoilt by the impurity of the vessel.