22.2 Social Obligation

 22.2 Social Obligation

Question:

Is there a way to help many people for a long time? 

Answer:

The wealth of a man of superior knowledge who loves the

world and wants to exercise benevolence is like a lake with

fresh drinking water.                                                                                                (kural – 215) 

ஊருணி நீர்நிறைந் தற்றே உலகவாம்

பேரறி வாளன் திரு.                                                                                                             (குறள் – 215)

 

Explanation:

Valluvar proposes three models for practicing philanthropy to help needy people. The first model is the "Fresh Water Lake Model of Philanthropy." A lake with fresh drinking water provides a perennial supply of drinking water to many people for an indefinitely long time. Similarly, a man of superior knowledge will use his wealth to benefit needy people for a long time. For example, he would deposit a large sum of money in a bank and use the interest from the principal to help needy people. Under this arrangement, the principal is preserved, and the interest continues to be used for helping the needy, like a lake with drinking water that supplies water to all the people all the time. This type of philanthropy offers the maximum benefit to many people for a very long time. For example, modern philanthropic foundations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, McArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, and other such large foundations have large sums of money in the bank. The interest obtained from the principal is used to benefit those who seek assistance. Since the principal is never used, this type of foundation can help many people for a very long time.