Thirukkural 165 in English

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

Tamil original

அழுக்காறு உடையார்க்கு அதுசாலும் ஒன்னார்
வழுக்காயும் கேடீன் பது.

Transliteration

Azhukkaaru Utaiyaarkku Adhusaalum Onnaar
Vazhukka�yum Keteen Padhu

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

To those who cherish envy that is enough Though free from enemies that (envy) will bring destruction

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Envy they have within! Enough to seat their fate!Though foemen fail, envy can ruin consummate

Plain-English Meaning

To those who cherish envy that is enough Though free from enemies that (envy) will bring destruction

பொறாமை உடையவர்க்குத் தீமை தரப் பகைவர் வேண்டியதில்லை; பொறாமையே போதும்

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