Not Coveting
Sitrinpam Veqki Aranalla Seyyaare / Matrinpam Ventu Pavar
Classical English couplet — “No deeds of ill, misled by base desire,Do they, whose souls to other joys aspire”
What it says in plain words
“People who want lasting happiness through doing right avoid unfair acts. They will not do wrong for a brief pleasure.”
The classical Tamil reading
அறநெறியால் பெறும் இன்பத்தை விரும்புகின்றவர், நிலையில்லாத சிறிய இன்பத்தை விரும்பி அறம் அல்லாதவற்றைச் செய்யார்.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
அறவழியில் நிலையான பயனை விரும்புகிறவர் உடனடிப் பயன் கிடைக்கிறது என்பதற்காக அறவழி தவறி நடக்க மாட்டார்
The ethical and philosophical heart
Getting something you want right away can feel good. But that pleasure may fade, leaving harm behind. This couplet asks us to choose lasting happiness over brief pleasure. At home or work, that means staying fair even when cheating offers a quick reward.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- You leave someone's lost money untouched, though you want to buy a treat.
- Workplace
- You give a coworker credit rather than claim their work for praise.
- Family
- You share a gift fairly instead of secretly taking your sibling's part.
- Society
- You wait your turn instead of pushing ahead in a queue.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- Ask whether a quick reward would mean treating someone unfairly.
- Integrity
- Stay honest even when a small lie could bring an easy gain.
- Communication
- Tell the truth rather than mislead someone to get what you want.
- Leadership
- Reward fair work instead of encouraging harmful shortcuts for quick results.
- Governance
- Use public money for community needs rather than personal comforts.
For leaders and teams
Show others that doing right matters more than quick rewards. Keep your choices fair even when an unfair shortcut looks tempting.
Something to sit with
“Where could you choose lasting happiness over a quick but unfair gain today?”