Impermanence
செயல்.
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aṟkā viyalpiṟṟuc celva matupeṟṟā / laṟkupa vāṅkē ceyal.
Wealth is by nature unable to last; if it comes to you, use it at once for deeds whose good can endure.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Unenduring is all wealth; if you wealth enjoy, / Enduring works in working wealth straightway employ.”
“Prosperity is transient: if thou have come by it, delay not to do things that are of lasting good.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அற்கா இயல்பிற்றுச் செல்வம்= நில்லாத இயல்பினை உடைத்துச் செல்வம்; அது பெற்றால் அற்குப ஆங்கே செயல்= அதனைப்பெற்றால், அதனால் செய்யப்படும் அறங்களை அப்பெற்றபொழுதே செய்க.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar says wealth has an impermanent nature. Therefore, when it is obtained, the acts of virtue that can be performed through it should be done at that very time.