Not Coveting
Ilamendru Veqkudhal Seyyaar Pulamvendra / Punmaiyil Kaatchi Yavar
Classical English couplet — “Men who have conquered sense, with sight from sordid vision freed,Desire not other's goods, e'en in the hour of sorest need”
What it says in plain words
“People who control their desires and think clearly do not long for others’ belongings. This stays true even when they have very little.”
The classical Tamil reading
ஐம்புலன்களையும் வென்ற குற்றமில்லாத அறிவை உடையவர், யாம் வறுமை அடைந்தோம் என்று எண்ணியும் பிறர் பொருளை விரும்பார்.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
புலனடக்கம் வாய்ந்த தூயவர், வறுமையில் வாடும் நிலையிலேகூடப் பிறர் பொருளைக் கவர்ந்திட விரும்ப மாட்டார்
The ethical and philosophical heart
Having too little can make another person’s belongings seem tempting. This couplet values self-control even in hard times. Clear thinking helps us keep need from becoming a desire to take. We can seek help without treating someone else’s belongings as ours.
In personal life, work and society
Personal: When money is short, you save for a bicycle rather than wish to take your friend’s.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- When you lack something, look for ways to meet your need without taking from others.
- Integrity
- Keep respecting other people’s belongings, even when your own money runs short.
- Communication
- Explain what you need without suggesting that someone else’s belongings should be yours.
- Leadership
- Show that difficult times do not excuse wanting to take what belongs to others.
- Governance
- Do not use public needs as an excuse to seize people’s belongings.
For leaders and teams
Help those you lead practice self-control when resources are short. Show them how to seek help while respecting what belongs to others.
Something to sit with
“When you feel you do not have enough, what helps you respect what belongs to others?”