Valluvar On Ethical Life

Valluvar on Ethical Life Dr.P.Loganathan, Prof. of Management Studies , Jamal Mohamed College, Tiruchirapalli-620 020

 Dr.M.Chandrasekaran  Lecturer in commerce,  Pavendar Bharathidasan College of Arts  Tiruchirapalli-620 024

******************* Thirukkural of Saint Thiruvalluvar holds all sanctity to be called as a Testament. It guides and preaches the humanity to lead a humane life. Ethical living is expected of human beings, as they alone have the privileged sixth sense. Most of the truth revealed by Valluvar are addressed to various sections of the people like a commoner, the king, his courtiers, the businessmen, the traders etc. But such teachings can not be considered as exclusive for any one category. They could be used universally even to business people or traders. What is said for a king, is common for anyone else, hence it is applicable to business men and there is no harm in taking it as Business ethics. With that idea in mind this article tries to explain the lifestyle of a businessman, which could also be interpreted as the lifestyle in general. Through out this article, the word “aram” – mwk; is taken as ethics . Ethics- road to wealth and goodwill Being virtual and behaving ethically will bring not only good name and reputation but it will enrich one’s wealth. There is nothing in this world which could bring both reputation and riches together. Therefore, one should be ethical in his behaviour. rpwg;gPDk; nry;tKk;
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Ethical syndrome Normally, what is wrong or what is right is being identified and cautioned by one’s own conscience. If he happens to ignore such caution and engage in that act which goes against his conscience, it is sure that he will get ruined. Therefore, one should understand that if he goes against the warning of his conscience he will be ruined and he should act in accordance with his conscience. nfLty;ahd; vd;gwpf jd;neQ;rk; eLnthuP, my;y nrapd;

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Emerging point of ethical living

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Being ethical is not just acting or behaving but should originate from the heart, or else, it can not be considered ethical. In short, other than those things that does not originate from heart (without the sanction of heart) can not be considered as ethical. kdj;Jf;fz; khrpyd; Mjy; midj;jwd; MFy ePu gpw

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Ethical living needs no time and place Leading an ethical life is not being ethical when ever it is possible but practicing ethics where ever it is possible i.e., irrespective of time and place ethics is to be followed. Xy;Yk; tifahd; mwtpid XthNj nry;Yk; tha; vy;yhk; nray;

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Ethics lie in discharging duty Being ethical is nothing but, realizing the responsibilities and duties and acting accordingly. No need to think about, who is to travel ( being carried) and who is to drive ( to carry)1.It goes in line with the preachings of Geetha “ do your duties ; don’t think about the outcome’.Karma (duty)alone has to be considered while taking up any task, its outcome will follow suit. mwj;jh wpJntd Ntz;lh rptpif nghWj;jhNdh ^u;e;jhd; ,il

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Now or never Do not postpone, ethical behaviour as the situation is not conducive and favourable, because there is no guarantee that such favourable and conducive conditions ever to occur. If you miss the opportunity, by the time you wish to do that the chance may not be there at all. md;wwpthk; vd;dh jwQ;nra;f kw;wJ nghd;Wq;fhy; nghd;whj; Jiz

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Ethical communication Ascertain the capacity of the receiver before speaking to one, as that is capable of bringing (riches and) good results .Such an act is considered as ethics for communication or conversing. While communicating one should be clear about the effectiveness of the words he uses and also the ability of the person ( receiver) to understand .It is not only ethical but will bring fortune. 1

Palanquins are being carried by two or four people and people use occupy palanquin to travel comfortably. Four to toil to put some in comfort, but it is the duty of the bearers to carry and the passengers to travel. This is what ethics is.

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jpwdwpe;J nrhy;Yf nrhy;iy mwDk; nghUSk; mjdpD}q;F ,y;

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Society’s contribution to ethical living The level or degree of being ethical by thinking or by practice of an individual depends on the society which surrounds him . One acquires purity in his thinking as well as goodness in his acts from the society (forefathers) he hails from. kde;J}a;ik nra;tpid J}a;ik ,uz;Lk; ,de;J}a;ik J}th tUk;

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Ethical eliminations Ethical living is avoiding the four unethical characters and behaviours such as envy, greed, anger and harsh or violent words. Flawless ethical life rests in avoiding the above said four vices . mOf;fh wthntFsp ,d;dhr;nrhy; ehd;Fk; ,Of;fh ,ad;w jwk;

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Ethical living brings delight Earning wealth ethically, using skill and without resorting to unfair practices, will not only bring pleasure but also it will bring rewards for ethical behaviour (making a moral person) mwd;
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Distress - no excuse to ethics Incase someone causes some damage beyond one’s tolerance level he should not feel about it and start doing unethical act against that person. Reciprocating the misdeed can not be the solution. jpwdy;y jw;gpwu; nra;apDk; Neh nehe;J mwdy;y nra;ahik ed;W

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Ethics - not an exception to Management/Governance Good governance has to avoid all unethical practices in order to avoid disgrace that might have been caused by unethical practices. mwdpOf;fh jy;yit ePf;fp kwdpOf;fh

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khd Kila juR

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Ethics - illusion To those who are inclined to amass wealth, ethical practices would appear unethical and unethical practices would appear ethical. Therefore, they should be careful in segregating the good and the bad in their pursuit for wealth. The interest to acquire wealth in general will make the aspirant less concerned about ethics. ‘Vyaparam throga chinthanam‘ is a popular saying meaning once you think of business naturally ethics and morality has to be bundled out. ey;yitnay;yhme; jPathe; jPaTk; ey;ythQ; nry;tQ; nraw;F

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Effects of being unethical Living ethical is fruitful and will yield all productive force; on the other hand being unethical will spoil everything and bring disgrace. In fact, there is nothing worse than forgetting that ethical life and being unethical which could bring disgrace and ignominy in this world. mwj;jpD}q;fhf;fKk; ,y;iy mjid kwj;jypD}q;fpy;iyf;NfhL

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Being unethical is a damage to ethics itself One has to avoid what others ridicule and consider as unethical, if he fails to do so that will cause damage not only to the individual but will demoralizes those who are ethical and even the code of ethics will get spoiled. gpwu;ehzj;jf;fJ jhd; ehzhd; Mapd; mwk;ehzj; jf;fJ cilj;J

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Gains from unethical practice spoils everything Acquiring and storing wealth through unfair means is like saving water in an unfired mutpot, which easily dissolves in water. Such an attempt would lead to not only loss of the wealth but the pot itself will be lost. ryj;jhw; nghUs;nra;Nj khu;j;jy; gRkz; fyj;JdPu; nga;jpuP, aw;W

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Life is essentially to earn wealth and reputation in order to command respect and enjoy comfort in life. The pursuit to lead such a life requires to conduct oneself ethically. Normally , most ethical practices are being prompted and cautioned by conscience .If one goes according to conscience, without ignoring the caution he is said to be leading an ethical life. Thiruvalluvar insists that ethical living whether of an individual or of a business man lies in realising the duties and responsibilities and earning wealth only through fair means Time and place should never be a hindrance for ethical living . One should not be carried away by ethical illusions, because being unethical is capable of spoiling everything.

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