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Tirukkural-On Virtue-Freedom From Envy-Kural 170

By Staff

Thirukkural In English, Kural 170
Alukatru akanraarum illai akthu illaar
perukkathin teernthaarum il.

The simple translation of this Kural by Rajaji cannot be bettered:

None has grown richer by envying
And no one has lost by not envying

All the more pity is that so many men purposelessly entertain envious thoughts, which only cause pain to themselves without achieving anything or adding a moiety to their possession. Simple truth, but we forget it when we see the good fortune of another. It is also worth remembering that a person who has eschewed envy has never lost anything by it.

The following line from Kambaramayanam are relevant:

Maatraar selvam kandalindhaal
Vaetriyaaha vatraamo

(Kamba-Maareesa-115)

Story first published: Monday, April 27, 2009, 11:13 [IST]
Read more about: envy jealousy thirukural