The Kural in life
Wantlessness is the winning wealth.
Valluvar closes the chapter by weighing the two paths. Reckless coveting — desiring without a thought for the consequence — breeds ruin; but the proud 'wealth' of wanting nothing, of refusing to desire what is another's, breeds a victory over everything. The richest, strongest position turns out to be not having most but needing nothing.
Parimelazhagar: greed breeds ruin, wantlessness breeds victory.
Parimelazhagar explains both verbs: thoughtless coveting 'breeds ruin' because it multiplies enmity and wrong; the 'pride' (செருக்கு) of wanting nothing 'breeds victory' because one who needs nothing brings under his feet all those who scramble for things. He calls wantlessness a wealth and a pride — not a deprivation but a commanding strength.
The freedom of needing nothing.
Whoever wants something can be moved, bought, threatened, or made to scheme by the prospect of getting it; the one who wants nothing cannot. That is why Valluvar can call wantlessness a 'victory over all': it places you beyond the reach of the levers that control the greedy. The chapter's last word is liberating — the surest power is not in seizing what others have but in being free of the need to.
Reckless coveting breeds ruin; wanting nothing breeds victory over all.
Valluvar closes by weighing both paths: thoughtless coveting breeds ruin, while the proud 'wealth' of wanting nothing breeds victory over everything. Parimelazhagar: coveting multiplies enmity and wrong, while wantlessness brings under one's feet all who scramble for things — it is a wealth and a commanding pride, not a deprivation.
Make 'needing nothing' your strongest position.
Whoever wants something can be moved, bought, threatened, or made to scheme by the chance of getting it; the one who wants nothing cannot. That's why wantlessness is a 'victory over all' — it puts you beyond the levers that control the greedy. The surest power isn't seizing what others have; it's being free of the need to. Build that freedom.