Thirukkural 171 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நடுவின்றி நன்பொருள் வெஃகின் குடிபொன்றிக்
குற்றமும் ஆங்கே தரும்.
Transliteration
Natuvindri Nanporul Veqkin Kutipondrik
Kutramum Aange Tharum
Modern English
“Wanting to unfairly seize what belongs to someone else tends to bring trouble crashing down almost immediately, damaging your reputation and your relationships in one go.”
Modern Interpretation
Wanting to unfairly seize what belongs to someone else tends to bring trouble crashing down almost immediately, damaging your reputation and your relationships in one go. For example, someone who tries to claim credit for a coworker's idea to get ahead often finds the fallout catches up with them faster than the reward does.
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Modern Plain English
Wanting to unfairly seize what belongs to someone else tends to bring trouble crashing down almost immediately, damaging your reputation and your relationships in one go.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Who covets others' honest wealth That greed ruins his house forthwith
G.U. Pope Translation
With soul unjust to covet others' well-earned store,Brings ruin to the home, to evil opes the door
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
If a man departing from equity covet the property (of others), at that very time will his family be destroyed and guilt be incurred
Tamil commentary
பிறர்க்குரிய பொருளை அநீதியாக விரும்பிக் கவர்ந்தால், கவர்ந்தவனின் குடும்பம் அழியும்; குற்றங்கள் பெருகும்.
Chapter 18
More from Not Coveting
வெஃகாமை
Who covets others' honest wealth That greed ruins his house forthwith
Kural 172Who shrink with shame from sin, refrain From coveting which brings ruin
Kural 173For spiritual bliss who long For fleeting joy commit no wrong
Kural 174The truth-knowers of sense-control Though in want covet not at all
Kural 175What is one's subtle wisdom worth If it deals ill with all on earth
Kural 176Who seeks for grace on righteous path Suffers by evil covetous wealth
Kural 177Shun the fruit of covetousness All its yield is inglorious
Kural 178The mark of lasting wealth is shown By not coveting others' own
Kural 179Fortune seeks the just and wise Who are free from coveting vice
Kural 180Desireless, greatness conquers all; Coveting misers ruined fall