Hearing
Selvaththut Selvanj Chevichchelvam Achchelvam / Selvaththu Lellaan Thalai
Classical English couplet — “Wealth of wealth is wealth acquired be ear attent;Wealth mid all wealth supremely excellent”
What it says in plain words
“What we learn by listening is a kind of wealth. It is worth more than any other wealth we have.”
The classical Tamil reading
செவியால் கேட்டறியும் செல்வம், செல்வங்களுள் ஒன்றாகப் போற்றப்படும் செல்வமாகும், அச் செல்வம் செல்வங்கள் எல்லாவற்றிலும் தலையானதாகும்.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
செழுமையான கருத்துகளைச் செவிவழியாகப் பெறும் செல்வமே எல்லாச் செல்வங்களுக்கும் தலையாய செல்வமாகும்
The ethical and philosophical heart
We usually think of wealth as money, land, or belongings. But listening to useful ideas gives us something more valuable. Learning through listening helps us understand situations and make better choices. A helpful lesson can guide us at home or work.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- You listen to a nurse explain how to care for a small cut.
- Workplace
- You learn a safer way to lift boxes from an experienced coworker.
- Family
- You listen to a relative explain how they plan weekly spending.
- Society
- Neighbors learn ways to save water by listening to each other's experiences.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- Listen to someone with useful experience before choosing what to do.
- Integrity
- Give credit to the person whose advice helped you.
- Communication
- Listen to understand an idea before preparing your reply.
- Leadership
- Make time to learn from the people you lead.
- Governance
- Listen to residents' experiences before deciding how to spend public money.
For leaders and teams
Treat what you learn by listening as more valuable than money. Make room for useful ideas from the people around you.
Something to sit with
“Who could you learn something useful from by listening today?”