Thirukkural Chapter 15 - Not coveting another's Wife


Couplet 141 
Who laws of virtue and possession's rights have known,
Indulge no foolish love of her by right another's own
Explanation
The folly of desiring her who is the property of another will not be found in those who know (the attributes of) virtue and (the rights of) property

Couplet 142 
No fools, of all that stand from virtue's pale shut out,
Like those who longing lurk their neighbour's gate without
Explanation
Among all those who stand on the outside of virtue, there are no greater fools than those who stand outside their neighbour's door

Couplet 143 
They're numbered with the dead, e'en while they live, -how otherwise?
With wife of sure confiding friend who evil things devise
Explanation
19 Certainly they are no better than dead men who desire evil towards the wife of those who

Couplet 144 
How great soe'er they be, what gain have they of life,
Who, not a whit reflecting, seek a neighbour's wife
Explanation
However great one may be, what does it avail if, without at all considering his guilt, he goes unto the wife of another ?

Couplet 145 
'Mere triflel' saying thus, invades the home, so he ensures
A gain of guilt that deathless aye endures
Explanation
He who thinks lightly of going into the wife of another acquires guilt that will abide with him imperishably and for ever

Couplet 146 
Who home ivades, from him pass nevermore,
Hatred and sin, fear, foul disgrace; these four
Explanation
Hatred, sin, fear, disgrace; these four will never leave him who goes in to his neighbour's wife

Couplet 147 
Who sees the wife, another's own, with no desiring eye
In sure domestic bliss he dwelleth ever virtuously
Explanation
He who desires not the womanhood of her who should walk according to the will of another will be praised as a virtuous house-holder

Couplet 148 
Manly excellence, that looks not on another's wife,
Is not virtue merely, 'tis full 'propriety' of life
Explanation
That noble manliness which looks not at the wife of another is the virtue and dignity of the great

Couplet 149 
Who 're good indeed, on earth begirt by ocean's gruesome tide?
The men who touch not her that is another's bride
Explanation
Is it asked, "who are those who shall obtain good in this world surrounded by the terror-producing sea ?" Those who touch not the shoulder of her who belongs to another

Couplet 150 
Though virtue's bounds he pass, and evil deeds hath wrought;
At least, 'tis good if neighbour's wife he covet not
Explanation
Though a man perform no virtuous deeds and commit (every) vice, it will be well if he desire not the womanhood of her who is within the limit (of the house) of another