Way of Accumulating Wealth - The Essentials of a State - WEALTH - Tirukkural

751
Nothing exists save wealth, that can
Change man of nought to worthy man.
Besides wealth there is nothing that can change people of no importance into those of (some) importance.

752
Those who have nought all will despise;
All raise the wealthy to the skies.
All despise the poor; (but) all praise the rich.

753
Wealth, the lamp unfailing, speeds to every land,
Dispersing darkness at its lord's command.
The imperishable light of wealth goes into regions desired (by its owner) and destroys the darkness (of enmity therein).

754
Their wealth, who blameless means can use aright,
Is source of virtue and of choice delight.
The wealth acquired with a knowledge of the proper means and without foul practices will yield virtue and happiness.

755
Wealth gained by loss of love and grace,
Let man cast off from his embrace.
(Kings) should rather avoid than seek the accumulation of wealth which does not flow in with mercy and love.

756
Wealth that falls to him as heir, wealth from the kingdom's dues,
The spoils of slaughtered foes; these are the royal revenues.
Unclaimed wealth, wealth acquired by taxes, and wealth (got) by conquest of foes are (all) the wealth of the king.

757
'Tis love that kindliness as offspring bears:
And wealth as bounteous nurse the infant rears.
The child mercy which is borne by love grows under the care of the rich nurse of wealth.

758
As one to view the strife of elephants who takes his stand,
On hill he's climbed, is he who works with money in his hand.
An undertaking of one who has wealth in one's hands is like viewing an elephant-fight from a hill-top.

759
Make money! Foeman's insolence o'ergrown
To lop away no keener steel is known.
Accumulate wealth; it will destroy the arrogance of (your) foes; there is no weapon sharper than it.

760
Who plenteous store of glorious wealth have gained,
By them the other two are easily obtained.
To those who have honestly acquired an abundance of riches, the other two, (virtue and pleasure) are things easy (of acquisition).