Tirukural

CHAPTER 17

Avoidance of Envy

161

The unenvious heart is to be valued no less than virtuous conduct itself.§

162

Among the many precious things a man may acquire, none surpasses a nature free from envy toward all.§

163

They say he who is jealous instead of joyous of another’s wealth clearly desires no wealth or virtue of his own.§

164

Envy will never cause one to commit wrongful deeds who rightly fathoms the disgrace that follows.§

165

A man’s own envy is foe enough to forge his ruin, even if he has no other enemies.§

166

Whoever begrudges another’s bounty will watch his kindred die in poverty, naked and starving.§

167

Goddess Fortune, intolerant of those who cannot tolerate others’ success, introduces them to her sister, Misfortune, and goes away.§

168

The wicked one called Envy consumes this world’s wealth, then consigns sinners to those worlds of hellish fire.§

169

It is worth pondering why good men may be poor while the envious in heart can prosper.§

170

There are no envious men who have risen to prosperity. There are no men free from envy who have fallen from it.§