The Kural or the Maxims of Tiruvalluvar/Chapter 18
CHAPTER 18
NON-CONVETING
171. Behold the man who leaveth the right way and coveteth another man's wealth: his wickednesses will increase and his family will decline.
172. Behold the men that turn away from evil : they covet not, neither do they yield to ignoble deeds.
173. Behold the men that care for other joys : they are not greedy after little delights, nor do they yield unto iniquity.
174. Behold the men that have mastered their senses and enlarged their vision : they covet not saying, Lo, we are in want.
175. Of what avail is a mind that is subtle and comprehending, if it yieldeth unto greed and consenteth unto insensate deeds ?
176. Even he who hungereth after grace and walketh in the path shall perish if he hankereth after wealth and plotetth evil.
177. Covet not the wealth that greed gathereth: for its fruit is bitter in the day of enjoyment.
178. If thou desire that thy substance should not grow less, covet not the riches in thy neighbour's hands.
179. Behold the wise man that understandeth justice and coveteth not: Lakshmi knoweth his worth and seeketh him in his home.
180. The greed that looketh not beyond engendereth destruction : but the greatness that sayeth, I desire not, triumpheth over all.
