Thirukkural 178 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அஃகாமை செல்வத்திற்கு யாதெனின் வெஃகாமை
வேண்டும் பிறன்கைப் பொருள்.
Transliteration
Aqkaamai Selvaththirku Yaadhenin Veqkaamai
Ventum Pirankaip Porul
Modern English
“The real secret to keeping what you have is simple: stop wanting what belongs to other people.”
Modern Interpretation
The real secret to keeping what you have is simple: stop wanting what belongs to other people. That single habit protects your resources and your reputation more than almost anything else. For example, a business that never tries to undercut competitors through dishonest means tends to build the kind of steady, lasting success that shortcuts can't buy.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
The real secret to keeping what you have is simple: stop wanting what belongs to other people.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The mark of lasting wealth is shown By not coveting others' own
G.U. Pope Translation
What saves prosperity from swift decline?Absence of lust to make another's cherished riches thine
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
If it is weighed, "what is the indestructibility of wealth," it is freedom from covetousness
Tamil commentary
செல்வம் குறையாமல் இருக்க வழி என்ன என்றால், பிறனுக்கு உரிய பொருளை விரும்பாமல் இருப்பதே.
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