Thirukkural 161 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

ஒழுக்காறாக் கொள்க ஒருவன்தன் நெஞ்சத்து
அழுக்காறு இலாத இயல்பு.

Transliteration

Ozhukkaaraak Kolka Oruvandhan Nenjaththu
Azhukkaaru Ilaadha Iyalpu

English Translation

“Deem your heart as virtuous When your nature is not jealous”

Plain-English meaning

Let a man esteem that disposition which is free from envy in the same manner as propriety of conduct

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

Deem your heart as virtuous When your nature is not jealous

G.U. Pope Translation

As 'strict decorum's' laws, that all men bind,Let each regard unenvying grace of mind

Plain-English Meaning

Let a man esteem that disposition which is free from envy in the same manner as propriety of conduct

உள்ளத்துள் பொறாமை இல்லாமல் வாழும் குணத்தை, ஒருவன் தனக்கு உரிய ஒழுக்கமாகக் கொள்க.

Chapter 17

அழுக்காறாமை

Deem your heart as virtuous When your nature is not jealous

No excellence excels the one That by nature envies none

Who envies others' good fortune Can't prosper in virtue of his own

The wise through envy don't others wrong Knowing that woes from evils throng

Man shall be wrecked by envy's whim Even if enemies spare him

Who envies gifts shall suffer ruin Without food and clothes with his kin

Fortune deserts the envious Leaving misfortune omnious

Caitiff envy despoils wealth And drags one into evil path

Why is envy rich, goodmen poor People with surprise think over

The envious prosper never The envyless prosper ever