Thirukkural 175 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அஃகி அகன்ற அறிவென்னாம் யார்மாட்டும்
வெஃகி வெறிய செயின்.
Transliteration
Aqki Akandra Arivennaam Yaarmaattum
Veqki Veriya Seyin
Modern English
“All the knowledge in the world doesn't count for much if someone still acts recklessly out of desire for things that belong to other people.”
Modern Interpretation
All the knowledge in the world doesn't count for much if someone still acts recklessly out of desire for things that belong to other people. Being smart and being fair aren't automatically the same thing. For example, a brilliant employee who manipulates numbers to take credit for someone else's work is squandering their intelligence on something ultimately hollow.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
All the knowledge in the world doesn't count for much if someone still acts recklessly out of desire for things that belong to other people.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
What is one's subtle wisdom worth If it deals ill with all on earth
G.U. Pope Translation
What gain, though lore refined of amplest reach he learn,His acts towards all mankind if covetous desire to folly turn
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
What is the advantage of extensive and accurate knowledge if a man through covetousness act senselessly towards all ?
Tamil commentary
பிறர் பொருள் மீது, ஆசை கொண்டு எவரிடத்திலும் அறிவற்ற செயல்களைச் செய்தால் செய்பவரின் கூரிய, பல நூல் பயின்று பரந்த அறிவினால் அவருக்கு ஆகும் பயன்தான் என்ன?
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