Philosophers will be philosophers. They may have their practical side but, when it comes to the goals of life, they are unlikely to accept what you and I aim for as worthwhile goals. (Yeah, yeah, even you do not accept lolling around in my sofa surfing OTT channels as a worthwhile goal. So?) Even when they ARE being practical, they tend to mix in ideals so that you do not feel too complacent about the life you are leading.
So, Tiru says this...
Echchamendru enennung kollo oruvaraal nachchap padaa dhavan - Tirukkural
What does a person think that he leaves behind when he has helped nobody and thus leaves behind none who love him? - Loose Translation
All that you own ceases to be yours when you die. And, thus, none of it will be associated with you after you have passed. Anyway, THAT association - his house, his land etc - has to be done by people. Once you leave behind no people who want to remember you, all the marks you left on the world will be wiped out.
Tiru is making exactly that point. The only mark you make on the world is the memories that you leave with the people around you. If you have been a miser, hoarding your wealth to yourself and not parting with it to help those around you, there will be nobody who will WANT to remember you. Which means that your memories will be wiped out very soon indeed.
I told you. Tiru WILL get you sooner or later. I mean, yes, if you had spent the money reveling by yourself, you may count as being alive but...
Once you are dead, as far as Society is concerned, you will be dead and gone and...forgotten!
