Virtue (அறத்துப்பால்) — Domestic Virtue (இல்லறவியல்) — Not Coveting (வெஃகாமை)

Kural 171:
நடுவின்றி நன்பொருள் வெஃகின் குடிபொன்றிக்
குற்றமும் ஆங்கே தரும்.
naduvindri nanporuL veqkin kutipondrik
kutramum aangae tharum
English couplet:
With soul unjust to covet others' well-earned store,
Brings ruin to the home, to evil opes the door.
Explanation: If a man departing from equity covet the property (of others), at that very time will his family be destroyed and guilt be incurred.

Kural 172:
படுபயன் வெஃகிப் பழிப்படுவ செய்யார்
நடுவன்மை நாணு பவர்.
padupayan veqkip pazhippatuva seyyaar
natuvanmai naaNu pavar
English couplet:
Through lust of gain, no deeds that retribution bring,
Do they, who shrink with shame from every unjust thing.
Explanation: Those who blush at the want of equity will not commit disgraceful acts through desire of the profit that may be gained.

Kural 173:
சிற்றின்பம் வெஃகி அறனல்ல செய்யாரே
மற்றின்பம் வேண்டு பவர்.
sitrinpam veqki aRanalla seyyaare
matrinpam vaeNtu pavar
English couplet:
No deeds of ill, misled by base desire,
Do they, whose souls to other joys aspire.
Explanation: Those who desire the higher pleasures (of heaven) will not act unjustly through desire of the trifling joy. (in this life).

Kural 174:
இலமென்று வெஃகுதல் செய்யார் புலம்வென்ற
புன்மையில் காட்சி யவர்.
ilamendru veqkudhal seyyaar pulamvendra
punmaiyil kaatchi yavar
English couplet:
Men who have conquered sense, with sight from sordid vision freed,
Desire not other's goods, e'en in the hour of sorest need.
Explanation: The wise who have conquered their senses and are free from crime, will not covet (the things of others), with the thought "we are destitute".

Kural 175:
அஃகி அகன்ற அறிவென்னாம் யார்மாட்டும்
வெஃகி வெறிய செயின்.
aqki akandra aRivennaam yaarmaattum
veqki veRiya seyin
English couplet:
What gain, though lore refined of amplest reach he learn,
His acts towards all mankind if covetous desire to folly turn?.
Explanation: What is the advantage of extensive and accurate knowledge if a man through covetousness act senselessly towards all ?.

Kural 176:
அருள்வெஃகி ஆற்றின்கண் நின்றான் பொருள்வெஃகிப்
பொல்லாத சூழக் கெடும்.
aruLveqki aatrin-kan nindraan poruLveqkip
pollaadha soozhak kedum
English couplet:
Though, grace desiring, he in virtue's way stand strong,
He's lost who wealth desires, and ponders deeds of wrong.
Explanation: If he, who through desire of the virtue of kindness abides in the domestic state i.e., the path in which it may be obtained, covet (the property of others) and think of evil methods (to obtain it), he will perish.

Kural 177:
வேண்டற்க வெஃகியாம் ஆக்கம் விளைவயின்
மாண்டற் கரிதாம் பயன்.
vaeNtaRka veqkiyaam aakkam viLaivayin
maaNtaR karidhaam payan
English couplet:
Seek not increase by greed of gain acquired;
That fruit matured yields never good desired.
Explanation: Desire not the gain of covetousness. In the enjoyment of its fruits there is no glory.

Kural 178:
அஃகாமை செல்வத்திற்கு யாதெனின் வெஃகாமை
வேண்டும் பிறன்கைப் பொருள்.
aqkaamai selvaththiRku yaadhenin veqkaamai
vaeNtum piran-kaip poruL
English couplet:
What saves prosperity from swift decline?
Absence of lust to make another's cherished riches thine!.
Explanation: If it is weighed, "what is the indestructibility of wealth," it is freedom from covetousness.

Kural 179:
அறனறிந்து வெஃகா அறிவுடையார்ச் சேரும்
திறன்அறிந் தாங்கே திரு.
aRanaRindhu veqkaa aRivutaiyaarch saerum
thiRan-aRinh thaangae thiru
English couplet:
Good fortune draws anigh in helpful time of need,
To him who, schooled in virtue, guards his soul from greed.
Explanation: Lakshmi, knowing the manner (in which she may approach) will immediately come to those wise men who, knowing that it is virtue, covet not the property of others.

Kural 180:
இறலீனும் எண்ணாது வெஃகின் விறல்ஈனும்
வேண்டாமை என்னுஞ் செருக்கு.
iRaleenum eNNaadhu veqkin viRaleenum
vaeNdaamai ennunhj serukku
English couplet:
From thoughtless lust of other's goods springs fatal ill,
Greatness of soul that covets not shall triumph still.
Explanation: To covet (the wealth of another) regardless of consequences will bring destruction. That greatness (of mind) which covets not will give victory.