Thirukkural 170 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அழுக்கற்று அகன்றாரும் இல்லை அஃதுஇல்லார்
பெருக்கத்தில் தீர்ந்தாரும் இல்.
Transliteration
Azhukkatru Akandraarum Illai Aqdhuillaar
Perukkaththil Theerndhaarum Il
Modern English
“No one has ever built lasting greatness through envy, and no one who's stayed free of envy has ever ended up without some kind of greatness of their own.”
Modern Interpretation
No one has ever built lasting greatness through envy, and no one who's stayed free of envy has ever ended up without some kind of greatness of their own. The two paths lead in opposite directions. For example, comparing two equally talented students, the one who cheers on their peers instead of resenting them tends to end up with more genuine opportunities over time.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
No one has ever built lasting greatness through envy, and no one who's stayed free of envy has ever ended up without some kind of greatness of their own.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The envious prosper never The envyless prosper ever
G.U. Pope Translation
No envious men to large and full felicity attain;No men from envy free have failed a sure increase to gain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Never have the envious become great; never have those who are free from envy been without greatness
Tamil commentary
பொறாமை கொண்டு உயர்ந்தவரும் இல்லை. அது இல்லாதபோது தாழ்ந்தவரும் இல்லை
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