Not coveting another"s Wife
Elidhena Illirappaan Eydhumenj Gnaandrum / Viliyaadhu Nirkum Pazhi
Classical English couplet — “'Mere triflel' saying thus, invades the home, so he ensuresA gain of guilt that deathless aye endures”
What it says in plain words
“A man may think pursuing another person's wife is no big deal. But the blame for this act will never go away.”
The classical Tamil reading
இச்செயல் எளியது என எண்ணிப் பிறனுடைய மனைவியிடம் நெறி தவறிச் செல்கின்றவன், எப்போதும் அழியாமல் நிலைநிற்கும் பழியை அடைவான்
An expanded Tamil interpretation
எளிதாக அடையலாம் என எண்ணிப் பிறனுடைய மனைவியிடம் முறைகேடாக நடப்பவன் என்றும் அழியாத பழிக்கு ஆளாவான்
The ethical and philosophical heart
Something that seems easy to do can still be deeply wrong. Pursuing another person's wife breaks the trust within a marriage. The couplet warns of blame that does not fade. A brief desire can lead to lasting damage at home and beyond.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- You stop sending romantic messages to someone else's wife.
- Workplace
- You keep conversations with a married coworker friendly, not romantic.
- Family
- You refuse to help a relative hide an affair.
- Society
- You challenge friends who call pursuing someone else's wife harmless fun.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- Think about lasting blame before acting on a brief desire.
- Integrity
- Respect another person's marriage, even when nobody is watching.
- Communication
- Make it clear that you will not join a secret affair.
- Leadership
- Do not excuse an affair as a small personal mistake.
- Governance
- Public officials should not treat pursuing another person's wife as harmless.
For leaders and teams
Set an example by showing respect for other people's marriages. Do not brush aside conduct that brings lasting blame.
Something to sit with
“What choices today would help you respect the trust in other people's marriages?”