Thirukkural 173 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
சிற்றின்பம் வெஃகி அறனல்ல செய்யாரே
மற்றின்பம் வேண்டு பவர்.
Transliteration
Sitrinpam Veqki Aranalla Seyyaare
Matrinpam Ventu Pavar
Modern English
“People focused on lasting, meaningful satisfaction don't throw away their integrity chasing some small, short-lived gain.”
Modern Interpretation
People focused on lasting, meaningful satisfaction don't throw away their integrity chasing some small, short-lived gain. They can see past the immediate temptation. For example, turning down a shortcut that would win a competition unfairly, because winning that way wouldn't actually feel like winning, reflects this kind of long-term thinking.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People focused on lasting, meaningful satisfaction don't throw away their integrity chasing some small, short-lived gain.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
For spiritual bliss who long For fleeting joy commit no wrong
G.U. Pope Translation
No deeds of ill, misled by base desire,Do they, whose souls to other joys aspire
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Those who desire the higher pleasures (of heaven) will not act unjustly through desire of the trifling joy. (in this life.)
Tamil commentary
அறத்தால் வரும் நிலையான இன்பங்களை விரும்புவோர் நிலையில்லாத இன்பத்தை விரும்பிப் பிறர் பொருளைக் கவரும் அறம் இல்லாத செயல்களைச் செய்ய மாட்டார்.
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