Not Envying
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oḻukkāṟāk koḷka oruvaṉtaṉ neñsattu / aḻukkāṟu ilāta iyalpu
Make freedom from envy in your heart a rule of conduct you live by.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“As 'strict decorum's' laws, that all men bind, / Let each regard unenvying grace of mind.”
“Guard thyself from envious thoughts: for freedom from envy is a part of virtuous conduct.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
ஒருவன் தன் நெஞ்சத்து அழுக்காறு இலாத இயல்பு = ஒருவன் தன் நெஞ்சத்தின்கண் அழுக்காறு என்னும் குற்றம் இல்லாத இயல்பினை; ஒழுக்காறாக் கொள்க = தனக்கு ஓதிய ஒழுக்க நெறியாகக் கொள்க.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Take the quality of having no envy in your heart and make it a settled rule of conduct — something you guard and live by, as carefully as any discipline that does you good.