The Possession of Decorum
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aḻukkāṟu uṭaiyāṉkaṇ ākkampōṉṟu illai / oḻukkam ilāṉkaṇ uyarvu
As the envious gain no prosperity, so those without good conduct gain no real dignity.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“The envious soul in life no rich increase of blessing gains, / So man of 'due decorum' void no dignity obtains.”
“Prosperity is not for the envious: even so dignity is not for men of ill conduct.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அழுக்காறு உடையான்கண் ஆக்கம் போன்று = அழுக்காறு உடையான்மாட்டு ஆக்கம் இல்லாதாற்போல; ஒழுக்கம் இலான்கண் உயர்வு இல்லை = ஒழுக்கம் இல்லாதவன்மாட்டும் உயர்ச்சி இல்லை.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Just as an envious person never enjoys real prosperity, a person without good conduct never attains true dignity. A lack of conduct blocks all rising, exactly as envy blocks all wealth.