Not Stealing
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aḷavaṟintār neñcat taṟampōla niṟkuṅ / kaḷavaṟintār neñciṟ karavu
As virtue abides in the heart of those who understand measured discernment, concealment abides in the heart of those practiced in theft.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“As virtue dwells in heart that 'measured wisdom' gains; / Deceit in hearts of fraudful men established reigns.”
“As Righteousness resideth in the heart of him who valueth things aright, even so Deceit hath its seat in the heart of the thief.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அளவு அறிந்தார் நெஞ்சத்து அறம்போல நிற்கும்= அவ்வளத்தலையே பயின்றவர் நெஞ்சத்து அறம் நிலைபெற்றாற் போல நிலைபெறும்; களவு அறிந்தார் நெஞ்சில் கரவு= களவையே பயின்றவர் நெஞ்சத்து வஞ்சனை.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Virtue becomes established in the minds of people trained in right measure; in the same way, deceit becomes established in the minds of people trained in theft.