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

English Translation

“For spiritual bliss who long For fleeting joy commit no wrong”

Plain-English meaning

Those who desire the higher pleasures (of heaven) will not act unjustly through desire of the trifling joy. (in this life.)

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

Those who desire the higher pleasures (of heaven) will not act unjustly through desire of the trifling joy. (in this life.)

அறத்தால் வரும் நிலையான இன்பங்களை விரும்புவோர் நிலையில்லாத இன்பத்தை விரும்பிப் பிறர் பொருளைக் கவரும் அறம் இல்லாத செயல்களைச் செய்ய மாட்டார்.

Chapter 18

வெஃகாமை

Who covets others' honest wealth That greed ruins his house forthwith

Who shrink with shame from sin, refrain From coveting which brings ruin

For spiritual bliss who long For fleeting joy commit no wrong

The truth-knowers of sense-control Though in want covet not at all

What is one's subtle wisdom worth If it deals ill with all on earth

Who seeks for grace on righteous path Suffers by evil covetous wealth

Shun the fruit of covetousness All its yield is inglorious

The mark of lasting wealth is shown By not coveting others' own

Fortune seeks the just and wise Who are free from coveting vice

Desireless, greatness conquers all; Coveting misers ruined fall