The Kural in life
Even the seeker is undone by greed.
Valluvar shows that good intentions are no protection. Even one who loves grace and has taken up the household life as the path toward it is ruined the moment he covets another's wealth and begins plotting crooked ways to get it. The pursuit of goodness and the indulgence of greed cannot share a heart; the second cancels the first.
Parimelazhagar: he loses both his virtues.
Parimelazhagar explains 'ruined': the household life is the road on which wisdom ripens toward renunciation, but one who, while on it, covets another's wealth and plots wrong 'loses both dharmas together' — the householder's and the higher path's. And note, he adds, that merely plotting it is enough to ruin him; the verse does not even wait for the deed.
Greed at the door of the good life.
It is tempting to think a generally good person can indulge a little greed without real cost — that the surrounding virtue will absorb it. Valluvar denies the discount. Greed admitted into a good life does not stay a small exception; it corrupts the project from within, turning the seeker's energy toward scheming and dissolving the very orientation that made him good. The higher you have climbed, the more this one indulgence has to lose.
Even a seeker of grace is ruined the moment greed enters and starts scheming.
Valluvar shows good intentions are no shield: even one who loves grace and walks the household path to it is ruined the moment he covets another's wealth and plots to get it. Parimelazhagar: he loses both dharmas at once, and merely plotting it is enough — the verse doesn't wait for the deed. Goodness and indulged greed cannot share a heart.
Don't assume your good life can absorb 'a little' greed.
It's tempting to think a generally good person can indulge a little greed without real cost. Valluvar denies the discount: greed let into a good life doesn't stay a small exception — it corrupts the whole project from within, turning your energy to scheming and dissolving the orientation that made you good. The higher you've climbed, the more this one indulgence has to lose.