Thirukkural 164 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அழுக்காற்றின் அல்லவை செய்யார் இழுக்காற்றின்
ஏதம் படுபாக்கு அறிந்து.
Transliteration
Azhukkaatrin Allavai Seyyaar Izhukkaatrin
Edham Patupaakku Arindhu
Modern English
“People who understand how much misery envy causes tend to avoid doing anything harmful out of jealousy in the first place.”
Modern Interpretation
People who understand how much misery envy causes tend to avoid doing anything harmful out of jealousy in the first place. Recognizing the pattern is often enough to stop it early. For example, someone who's noticed how envy has ruined friendships before is quicker to catch themselves before acting on jealousy toward a coworker's promotion.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People who understand how much misery envy causes tend to avoid doing anything harmful out of jealousy in the first place.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The wise through envy don't others wrong Knowing that woes from evils throng
G.U. Pope Translation
The wise through envy break not virtue's laws,Knowing ill-deeds of foul disgrace the cause
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
(The wise) knowing the misery that comes from transgression will not through envy commit unrighteous deeds
Tamil commentary
பொறாமை கொண்டால் துன்பம் வரும் என்பதை அறிந்து அறிவுடையோர் பொறாமை காரணமாகத் தீமைகளைச் செய்யமாட்டார்
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