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

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

If it is weighed, "what is the indestructibility of wealth," it is freedom from covetousness

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

If it is weighed, "what is the indestructibility of wealth," it is freedom from covetousness

செல்வம் குறையாமல் இருக்க வழி என்ன என்றால், பிறனுக்கு உரிய பொருளை விரும்பாமல் இருப்பதே.

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