Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 18 : Not Coveting
 

Introductory Note

Greed, or covetousness, is the desire to obtain by illegitimate means what is another’s. It is called “Vehhil” in Tamil.“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, not his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.” – Ten Commandments. Exodus 20.13, The Hebrew Bible [6].

“You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his man-servant or maid-servant, his ox or donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbour” – Jesus Christ, Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy 5.17, The Bible [3].

"...And approach not the wealth of the orphan save with that which is better, till he reach maturity. Give full measure and full weight, in justice. We task not any soul beyond its scope. And if ye give your word, do justice thereunto, even though it be (against) a kinsman; and fulfil the covenant of Allah. This He commandeth you that haply ye may remember. And (He commandeth you, saying): This is My straight path, so follow it. Follow not other ways, lest ye be parted from His way."- Prophet Muhammad (saw), The Straight Path, Al-Anaam 6.151-153, The Quran. [7]

"Come not near the wealth of the orphan save with that which is better till he come to strength; and keep the covenant. Lo! of the covenant it will be asked. Fill the measure when ye measure, and weigh with a right balance; that is meet, and better in the end." - Prophet Muhammad (saw), The Straight Path, Al-Isra 17.34 to 17.35. [7]Greed, also called Avarice or Covetousness, is one of the Seven Deadly Sins in Christianity. It is the desire for material wealth or gain, igoring the realm of the spiritual and is called “avaritia” in Latin. Greed is associated with the frog and the color yellow. [2]

Translation(s)

“With soul unjust to covet others’ well earned store,
Bring ruin to the home, to evil opens the door.”
– translation by Rev. G. U. Pope

 

Translation(s)

Those who shrink with shame from every unjust thing, do not do out of lust for gain any deeds that bring retribution.

 

Translation(s)

They do no deeds of ill misled by base desire, whose souls aspire to other joys.

Explanation

There are joys in life other than those arising from ill-deeds rooted in base desire. We should aspire to for the other joys.

Translation(s)

Men who have conquered sense and whose sight is freed from sordid vision, do not desire others’ goods even in the hour of their sorest need.

 

Translation(s)

What is the gain, if a man learnt refined lore of amplest reach, but still in his acts towards all mankind his covetous desire turns to folly?

 

Translation(s)

Though desiring grace a man stands strong in virtue’s way, he is lost who desires wealth and ponders deeds of wrong.

Explanation

Recheck translation. Does Valluvar say all wealth is a hindrance like Christ?

Here are two ways to fall from grace while coveting other’s wealth:

"And eat not up your property among yourselves in vanity, nor seek by it to gain the hearing of the judges that ye may knowingly devour a portion of the property of others wrongfully." - Prophet Muhammad (saw), Al-Baqara 2.188. [7]

Translation(s)

Do not seek increase by greed of acquired gains. That fruit on maturity never yields the desired good.

Explanation

Even the modern wisdom is same in Rich Dad, Poor Dad

Translation(s)

What saves prosperity from swift decline?  Absence of lust to make another’s cherished riches your own.

 

Translation(s)

Good fortune helpfully draws near in time of need to him who schooled in virtue, guards his soul from greed.

 

Translation(s)

Greatness of soul that covets not, shall triumph as from thoughtless lust of others’ goods springs fatal ill.

 

View from North-West,
Thiruvalluvar Memorial (133 Feet, 7000 Tonnes), Kanyakumari, India
Credit: Henk Jacobs (oochappan), Trekearth

References