Thirukkural 169 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அவ்விய நெஞ்சத்தான் ஆக்கமும் செவ்வியான்
கேடும் நினைக்கப் படும்.
Transliteration
Avviya Nenjaththaan Aakkamum Sevviyaan
Ketum Ninaikkap Patum
Modern English
“It's worth noticing how often envious people seem to do fine for themselves while genuinely good people struggle, at least for a while, though it doesn't mean envy pays off, just that life isn't always immediately fair.”
Modern Interpretation
It's worth noticing how often envious people seem to do fine for themselves while genuinely good people struggle, at least for a while, though it doesn't mean envy pays off, just that life isn't always immediately fair. For example, watching an unkind coworker get promoted while a decent one is overlooked can be frustrating, but it's rarely the full story in the long run.
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Modern Plain English
It's worth noticing how often envious people seem to do fine for themselves while genuinely good people struggle, at least for a while, though it doesn't mean envy pays off, just that life isn't always immediately fair.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Why is envy rich, goodmen poor People with surprise think over
G.U. Pope Translation
To men of envious heart, when comes increase of joy,Or loss to blameless men, the 'why' will thoughtful hearts employ
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The wealth of a man of envious mind and the poverty of the righteous will be pondered
Tamil commentary
பொறாமை கொண்ட மனத்தவனின் உயர்வும், அது இல்லாத நல்லவனின் தாழ்வும் பற்றி ஆராய்க
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