Not doing Evil
Sirappeenum Selvam Perinum Pirarkku / Innaa Seyyaamai Maasatraar Kol
Classical English couplet — “Though ill to neighbour wrought should glorious pride of wealth secure,No ill to do is fixed decree of men in spirit pure”
What it says in plain words
“People with strong values refuse to hurt others, even for great wealth. They keep this rule even when money could bring respect.”
The classical Tamil reading
சிறப்பைத்தருகின்ற பெருஞ் செல்வத்தைப் பெறுவதாக இருந்தாலும், பிறர்க்குத் துன்பம் செய்யாதிருத்தலே மாசற்றவரின் கொள்கையாம்.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
மிகுந்த செழிப்பைத் தருகின்ற செல்வத்தைப் பெறக் கூடுமென்றாலும் அதன் பொருட்டுப் பிறருக்குப் கேடு செய்யாமலிருப்பதே மாசற்றவர்களின் கொள்கையாகும்
The ethical and philosophical heart
Some chances to gain money come at another person's expense. A choice may bring wealth while making someone else's life harder. This couplet asks us to refuse wealth that hurts others. Our values matter most when keeping them means giving up a reward.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- You describe your used phone honestly, even if its faults lower the price.
- Workplace
- You refuse a sales bonus that requires hiding fees from customers.
- Family
- You reject a profitable family deal that would cheat a relative.
- Society
- A business refuses to dump waste near homes, even when safe disposal costs more.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- Check who might suffer before choosing a way to earn money.
- Integrity
- Keep your rule against hurting others, even when the reward is large.
- Communication
- Tell buyers about problems, even if honesty costs you a sale.
- Leadership
- Do not ask your team to hurt customers for higher profits.
- Governance
- Reject money-saving plans that put people's health or safety at risk.
For leaders and teams
Make people's well-being more important than profit in your choices. Show others that some rewards are not worth the harm.
Something to sit with
“How could you protect others when a chance to earn more money appears today?”