Thirukkural 163 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அறன்ஆக்கம் வேண்டாதான் என்பான் பிறனாக்கம்
பேணாது அழுக்கறுப் பான்.
Transliteration
Aranaakkam Ventaadhaan Enpaan Piranaakkam
Penaadhu Azhukkarup Paan
Modern English
“Someone who resents another person's success instead of feeling glad for them reveals that they don't actually value doing well themselves; they're more interested in others not doing well.”
Modern Interpretation
Someone who resents another person's success instead of feeling glad for them reveals that they don't actually value doing well themselves; they're more interested in others not doing well. For example, a classmate who's upset about a friend's good grade, rather than motivated by it, is showing where their priorities really are.
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Modern Plain English
Someone who resents another person's success instead of feeling glad for them reveals that they don't actually value doing well themselves; they're more interested in others not doing well.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Who envies others' good fortune Can't prosper in virtue of his own
G.U. Pope Translation
Nor wealth nor virtue does that man desire 'tis plain,Whom others' wealth delights not, feeling envious pain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Of him who instead of rejoicing in the wealth of others, envies it, it will be said "he neither desires virtue not wealth."
Tamil commentary
பிறர் உயர்வு கண்டு மகிழாமல் பொறாமைப்படுபவன், அறத்தால் வரும் புண்ணியத்தை வேண்டா என மறுப்பவன் ஆவான்
Chapter 17
More from Not Envying
அழுக்காறாமை
Deem your heart as virtuous When your nature is not jealous
Kural 162No excellence excels the one That by nature envies none
Kural 163Who envies others' good fortune Can't prosper in virtue of his own
Kural 164The wise through envy don't others wrong Knowing that woes from evils throng
Kural 165Man shall be wrecked by envy's whim Even if enemies spare him
Kural 166Who envies gifts shall suffer ruin Without food and clothes with his kin
Kural 167Fortune deserts the envious Leaving misfortune omnious
Kural 168Caitiff envy despoils wealth And drags one into evil path
Kural 169Why is envy rich, goodmen poor People with surprise think over
Kural 170The envious prosper never The envyless prosper ever