Chapter 15: Not coveting another"s Wife

பிறன்பொருளாள் பெட்டொழுகும் பேதைமை ஞாலத்து
அறம்பொருள் கண்டார்கண் இல்.

Piranporulaal Pettozhukum Pedhaimai Gnaalaththu
Aramporul Kantaarkan Il

Who know the wealth and virtue's way After other's wife do not stray

Meaning: The folly of desiring her who is the property of another will not be found in those who know (the attributes of) virtue and (the rights of) property

அறன்கடை நின்றாருள் எல்லாம் பிறன்கடை
நின்றாரின் பேதையார் இல்.

Arankatai Nindraarul Ellaam Pirankatai
Nindraarin Pedhaiyaar Il

He is the worst law breaking boor Who haunts around his neighbour's door

Meaning: Among all those who stand on the outside of virtue, there are no greater fools than those who stand outside their neighbour's door

விளிந்தாரின் வேறல்லர் மன்ற தெளிந்தாரில்
தீமை புரிந்து ஒழுகு வார்.

Vilindhaarin Verallar Mandra Thelindhaaril
Theemai Purindhu Ozhuku Vaar

The vile are dead who evil aim And put faithful friends' wives to shame

Meaning: Certainly they are no better than dead men who desire evil towards the wife of those who

எனைத்துணையர் ஆயினும் என்னாம் தினைத்துணையும்
தேரான் பிறனில் புகல்.

Enaiththunaiyar Aayinum Ennaam Thinaiththunaiyum
Theraan Piranil Pukal

Their boasted greatness means nothing When to another's wife they cling

Meaning: However great one may be, what does it avail if, without at all considering his guilt, he goes unto the wife of another ?

எளிதென இல்லிறப்பான் எய்துமெஞ் ஞான்றும்
விளியாது நிற்கும் பழி.

Elidhena Illirappaan Eydhumenj Gnaandrum
Viliyaadhu Nirkum Pazhi

Who trifles with another's wife His guilty stain will last for life

Meaning: He who thinks lightly of going into the wife of another acquires guilt that will abide with him imperishably and for ever

பகைபாவம் அச்சம் பழியென நான்கும்
இகவாவாம் இல்லிறப்பான் கண்.

Pakaipaavam Achcham Pazhiyena Naankum
Ikavaavaam Illirappaan Kan

Hatred, sin, fear, and shame-these four Stain adulterers ever more

Meaning: Hatred, sin, fear, disgrace; these four will never leave him who goes in to his neighbour's wife

அறனியலான் இல்வாழ்வான் என்பான் பிறனியலாள்
பெண்மை நயவா தவன்.

Araniyalaan Ilvaazhvaan Enpaan Piraniyalaal
Penmai Nayavaa Thavan

He is the righteous householder His neighbour's wife who covets never

Meaning: He who desires not the womanhood of her who should walk according to the will of another will be praised as a virtuous house-holder

பிறன்மனை நோக்காத பேராண்மை சான்றோர்க்கு
அறனொன்றோ ஆன்ற வொழுக்கு.

Piranmanai Nokkaadha Peraanmai Saandrorkku
Aranondro Aandra Vozhukku

They lead a high-souled manly life The pure who eye not another's wife

Meaning: That noble manliness which looks not at the wife of another is the virtue and dignity of the great

நலக்குரியார் யாரெனின் நாமநீர் வைப்பின்
பிறர்க்குரியாள் தோள்தோயா தார்.

Nalakkuriyaar Yaarenin Naamaneer Vaippin
Pirarkkuriyaal Tholdhoyaa Thaar

Good in storm bound earth is with those Who clasp not arms of another's spouse

Meaning: Is it asked, "who are those who shall obtain good in this world surrounded by the terror-producing sea ?" Those who touch not the shoulder of her who belongs to another

அறன்வரையான் அல்ல செயினும் பிறன்வரையாள்
பெண்மை நயவாமை நன்று.

Aranvaraiyaan Alla Seyinum Piranvaraiyaal
Penmai Nayavaamai Nandru

Sinners breaking virtue's behest Lust not for another's wife at least

Meaning: Though a man perform no virtuous deeds and commit (every) vice, it will be well if he desire not the womanhood of her who is within the limit (of the house) of another