The key to all good?

You tend to get put off by philosophy, sometimes, simply because it tells you what you already know but are unable or unwilling to do. I mean, like, when you get told that hard work leads to prosperity, you get angry. Not because it is wrong but because you know it already but do not want to do it. If there was a philosopher who told you that prosperity will come to you as you loll around in your bed watching a web series, you'd embrace him with all your heart. The philosopher who tells you that politeness yields friendships will face rude ire from you; the one who says that being rude is the way to go, since it denotes frankness, is your bosom pal. The philosopher...WHAT? You got the point already? Alright!

Tiru cannot always be finding out and telling things that you do not already know. (Though, to be sure, since I do NOT know what you already know, it could well be that you do not know this.) Sometimes, he too will tell you what you know already. Like this one...

Thunai nalam aakkam tharum vinai nalam vendiya ellaam tharum - Tirukkural

Having good supporters yields wealth; doing good and progressive work will yield all desirable results - Loose Translation

You know, sometimes, it is difficult to get these philosophers. I mean, you got wealth, right? When you have people around you who are good and capable? What other desirable results could you possibly want that you cannot buy with wealth? Well, Tiru probably means things like popularity, fame etc. Maybe even health if you take 'work' to mean everything you do - including eating, drinking etc - and that they should all be 'good' and 'progressive'.

That phrase - 'vinai nalam' - is tough to translate. It does mean 'good' as in you are not to steal, murder, defraud etc; it also connotes that what you do should be progressive for Society. Yes, you could honestly run an existing business and be 'good'. You could do socially relevant business OR you could expand business to provide more employment OR make available a rare drug OR...You get the point like you did the last time? Business that leaves a mark on Society, leaves Society better off than before - THAT's what that 'progressive' means. That is what gets you all that you may legitimately desire out of life according to Tiru.

NOW you see why advice makes you angry. You know it already but it is hard yards to do it. So...