திருக்குறள்

Thirukkural by Saint Thiruvalluvar

Explore the timeless wisdom of Thirukkural, a classic Tamil text consisting of 1,330 couplets dealing with ethics, politics, economics, and love. Each Kural is presented with explanations from renowned Tamil scholars.

குறள் 201

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?????? ??????? ????????? ??????????????? ??????? ???
Malaranna Kannaal Mukamoththi YaayinPalarkaanath Thondral Madhi
English: If as her face, whose eyes are flowers, thou wouldst have charms for me,Shine for my eyes alone, O moon, shine not for all to see

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

???????! ????????? ?????? ???? ??????? ??????? ?????????? ????????????, ?? ?????? ?????????????? ????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

????? ???? ????? ????? ???? ??? ????????? ????? ??? ?? ?? ???????????? ???? ??????? ????? ??????; ?????? ????????? ????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

?????! ??????? ??????????? ??? ????? ????????? ??????????? ?????? ????????????? ??????????????? ????? ?????????????? (?????? ?????????? ?? ????????????? ????????) ?????? ???????????? ?? ???????? ???????? ????

English Explanation

O moon, if you wish to resemble the face of her whose eyes are like (these) flowers, do not appear so as to be seen by all

குறள் 202

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?????? ??????? ????????? ???????????????? ????????? ???
Pulli Vitaaap Pulaviyul ThondrumenUllam Utaikkum Patai
English: 'Within the anger feigned' that close love's tie doth bind,A weapon lurks, which quite breaks down my mind

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

???????? ????????????? ????????????????? ??????? ??????, ???????? ???????? ?????? ???? ??? ???????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

????????? ??????? ??????, ??????? ????????????? ????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ??? ??????????? ????????? ?????? ??????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

?????? ????? ??? ????????? ????????????? ??????? ???? ???????? ???? ?????????? ??? ???????? ????????? ?????????? ??????????? ??????????

English Explanation

In prolonged dislike after an embrace there is a weapon that can break my heart

குறள் 203

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?????? ??????? ?????????? ??????????? ??????? ?????
Theraan Piranaith Thelindhaan VazhimuraiTheeraa Itumpai Tharum
English: Who trusts an untried stranger, brings disgrace,Remediless, on all his race

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

??????? ??????? ???????? ?????????? ???? (???????? ??????? ????????) ??????? ??????????? ???????????????? ??????????? ??????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

???????? ???????????? ????? ?????????, ???? ??????? ????? ??????? ???????? ???????????? ???????? ??????? ??????????? ?????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

????????? ??????????? ???????? ????????? ?????? ??????, ?????????? ???????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????????????? ??????? ??????? ????????

English Explanation

Sorrow that will not leave even his posterity will come upon him chooses a stranger whose character he has not known

குறள் 204

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?????? ??????? ?????????? ????????????? ????? ???
Penaadhu Petpave Seyyinum KonkanaikKaanaa Thamaiyala Kan
English: Although his will his only law, he lightly value me,My heart knows no repose unless my lord I see

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

????? ??????????? ?????????????? ?????? ????????????????? ?????? ???????????, ???????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ??????????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

????? ????????? ???? ??? ?????????????? ?????????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

????? ???????????? ?????? ????????????????? ?????? ????????????????, ??? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????? ??????????

English Explanation

Though my eyes disregard me and do what is pleasing to my husband, still will they not be satisfied unless they see him

குறள் 205

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?????? ??????? ?????????? ???????????????? ??? ???????
Katalotaa Kaalval Netundher KatalotumNaavaayum Otaa Nilaththu
English: The lofty car, with mighty wheel, sails not o'er watery main,The boat that skims the sea, runs not on earth's hard plain

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

???? ??????????????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??????????, ?????? ???????? ??????????? ????????? ??????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

???? ?????????? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ????????; ?????? ????? ????????? ????????? ????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

??? ???????????? ???????? ???????????????? `???? ?????? ?????' `?????? ????????? ??????' ??????????? ??????????? ?????? ????????

English Explanation

Wide chariots, with mighty wheels, will not run on the ocean; neither will ships that the traverse ocean, move on the earth

குறள் 206

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?????? ??????? ?????????? ???????????????? ??????? ?????
Irappe Purindha Thozhitraam SirappundhaanSeeral Lavarkan Patin
English: Whene'er distinction lights on some unworthy head,Then deeds of haughty insolence are bred

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

??????? ???????? ?????? ????????? ?????? ???? ????????? ??????????, ?????? ????? ????? ??????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

????, ???????, ???? ???? ?????????? ????????????? ?????????? ??????????, ????????? ???????? ????????????? ?????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

???????? ??????????? ???????? ????????? ???? ???????????? ????????????, ??????? ???????????? ??????????? ??????

English Explanation

Even nobility of birth, wealth and learning, if in (the possession of) the base, will (only) produce everincreasing pride

குறள் 207

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?????? ??????? ??????????? ????????????? ??????????? ????
Aridharo Thetram Arivutaiyaar KannumPirivo Ritaththunmai Yaan
English: To trust henceforth is hard, if ever he depart,E'en he, who knows his promise and my breaking heart

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

???????? ????????????? ?????? ??? ????????? ???? ??????? ???? ???????? ????? ???????? ????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

??????? ??????? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????? ???????? ???????, ??????? ???? ?????????????? ????? ??????? ????? ???????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

???????? ????????? ?????????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ????? ???????????; ``????????????'' ?? ???? ?????? ????? ??????? ??????

English Explanation

As even the lover who understands (everything) may at times depart, confidence is hardly possible

குறள் 208

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?????? ??????? ??????????? ??????????????? ???????????? ?????
Inaiyar Ivaremakku Innamyaam EndruPunaiyinum Pullennum Natpu
English: Mean is the friendship that men blazon forth,'He's thus to me' and 'such to him my worth'

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

???? ?????? ??????????????, ???? ???????? ??? ????????????? ????? ?????????????????? ????? ???????????? ??????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

???? ?????? ?????? ????? ???????; ?????? ???????? ???????? ????? ?????? ?????? ???????????? ?????????? ?????????? ????? ???????????? ??????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

????????? ??????????????? ``???? ?????? ???????????????; ???? ???????? ????????????????'' ????? ???????????? ????????? ?????????? ???? ??????? ?????? ????????????

English Explanation

Though friends may praise one another saying, "He is so intimate with us, and we so much (with him)"; (still) such friendship will appear mean

குறள் 209

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?????? ??????? ???????????? ?????????????????? ?????? ?????
Kaatchik Keliyan Katunjollan AllanelMeekkoorum Mannan Nilam
English: Where king is easy of access, where no harsh word repels,That land's high praises every subject swells

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

?????????? ??????????? ????????? ????????? ????????? ???? ????????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ????? ???????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

???? ?????? ??????? ?????????? ????????, ???? ???????? ????????? ?????????? ?????????, ????????? ??????? ?????? ???????????. (???? ????? ?????? ??????????????? ??????)

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

?????????? ?????????, ????????? ????? ???? ????????? ???? ?????????? ????? ???????

English Explanation

The whole world will exalt the country of the king who is easy of access, and who is free from harsh language

குறள் 210

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?????? ??????? ????????????? ?????????????? ?????? ?????
Ellaadha Ennich Cheyalventum ThammotuKollaadha Kollaadhu Ulaku
English: Plan and perform no work that others may despise;What misbeseems a king the world will not approve as wise

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

??? ???????? ?????????????? ????? ???????????????, ??????? ????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ????????? ????? ????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

??? ??????????? ????????? ???????????? ???????? ?????? ??? ???????; ?????? ?????? ????? ?????????? ??????? ????? ????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

???????? ?????????? ????? ???????? ?????????? ?????????????????? ????????, ??????? ?????????????? ?????????? ????????? ????????

English Explanation

Let a man reflect, and do things which bring no reproach; the world will not approve, with him, of things which do not become of his position to adopt

குறள் 211

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?????? ??????? ??????????????? ????????????? ??? ????
Palakutai Neezhalum Thangutaikkeezhk KaanparAlakutai Neezha Lavar
English: O'er many a land they 'll see their monarch reign,Whose fields are shaded by the waving grain

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

???? ???? ???? ?????? ????????? ?????, ?? ??????? ???? ???????????? ??? ???????? ???? ?????????? ????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

???????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???? ????????, ??? ??????????????? ???? ????? ???? ???????????? ???? ?????? ???????? ????????????? ???????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

?? ????????? ?????????? ???? ??????????? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ??????????? ????????

English Explanation

Patriotic farmers desire to bring all other states under the control of their own king

குறள் 212

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?????? ??????? ???????????????? ?????????????? ??????? ?????
Aravaazhi Andhanan Thaalserndhaark KallaalPiravaazhi Neendhal Aridhu
English: Unless His feet 'the Sea of Good, the Fair and Bountiful,' men gain,'Tis hard the further bank of being's changeful sea to attain

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

????????? ????????? ???????? ???????????? ????????? ?????????????? ????????, ??????? ????????? ??????????? ???? ????????? ????? ????????

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

????????? ???????? ?????????? ?????????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ???? ???????? ??????? ??????

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

??????? ??????????? ?????? ???????? ????????, ??????????? ????????? ?????? ?????????? ????????? ?????????????????, ???????????????? ??? ??????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????????

English Explanation

None can swim the sea of vice, but those who are united to the feet of that gracious Being who is a sea of virtue

குறள் 213

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?????? ???????? ????? ????????????? ????? ????
Paalotu Thenkalan Thatre PanimozhiVaaleyiru Ooriya Neer
English: The dew on her white teeth, whose voice is soft and low,Is as when milk and honey mingled flow

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

????????? ????????? ???? ????? ??????? ??? ???????? ???? ???? ??????? ?????? ???????? ???????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

???????? ??????????? ?????? ??? ????????? ????????? ?????????? ???? ????, ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ??????!

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

???????? ???????? ??????? ???????????? ?????????? ??????? ????? ?????????, ?????? ?????? ???????????? ???? ??????????

English Explanation

The water which oozes from the white teeth of this soft speeched damsel is like a mixture of milk and honey

குறள் 214

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?????? ???????? ????? ??????????????? ???????? ?????
Inareri Thoivanna Innaa SeyinumPunarin Vekulaamai Nandru
English: Though men should work thee woe, like touch of tongues of fire'Tis well if thou canst save thy soul from burning ire

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

???? ???????? ???? ???? ?????????? ??????? ????? ????????? ?????? ????? ???????? ?????????? ???? ???? ????? ??????????????? ??????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

?? ????? ???? ???????????? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??????????, ??????? ????? ????????????? ???????????? ??? ??? ?????????? ??????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

???????? ????????????? ????? ?????????? ?????? ????????? ?????????? ??????? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ???? ?????????????? ???????? ??????

English Explanation

Though one commit things against you as painful (to bear) as if a bundle of fire had been thrust upon you, it will be well, to refrain, if possible, from anger

குறள் 215

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?????? ???????? ????? ?????????????????? ??????? ??????
Ilaidhaaka Mulmaram Kolka KalaiyunarKaikollum Kaazhththa Itaththu
English: Destroy the thorn, while tender point can work thee no offence;Matured by time, 'twill pierce the hand that plucks it thence

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

???? ?????? ??????? ????????? ???? ????? ????????, ???????? ??? ????????? ???? ???????????????? ???? ??? ?????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

????? ??????? ??????? ???? ?????? ??? ?????????? ???????? ?????; ???????? ???????? ?????? ??????????? ???? ??? ?????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

??????????, ??? ????? ?????? ????????????? ?????? ?????? ???, ?????????, ??? ???????????? ?????? ????????? ????????

English Explanation

A thorny tree should be felled while young, (for) when it is grown it will destroy the hand of the feller

குறள் 216

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?????? ???????? ????? ???????????????????? ??????? ????
Katrila Naayinung Ketka AqdhoruvarkuOrkaththin Ootraan Thunai
English: Though learning none hath he, yet let him hear alway:In weakness this shall prove a staff and stay

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

????????? ??????????????????, ?????????????????? ???????? ????????, ??? ?????????? ???????????? ???????? ???? ???? ????????? ???? ??????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

????????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??????????? ????? ????????; ???????? ??????? ???????? ????????? ????????? ???????????? ???? ??????? ??????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

????????? ???????????????, ?????????? ???????? ???????? ????????, ??? ??? ?????????????? ???????? ??????????? ????? ??????? ???????

English Explanation

Although a man be without learning, let him listen (to the teaching of the learned); that will be to him a staff in adversity

குறள் 217

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?????? ???????? ?????? ???????????? ???? ???????
Veezhum Iruvarkku Inidhe ValiyitaiPozhap Pataaa Muyakku
English: Sweet is the strict embrace of those whom fond affection binds,Where no dissevering breath of discord entrance finds

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

?????? ???????????? ?????????? ??????? ????????, ?????? ?????? ????????? ?????? ???????????? ????? ??????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

???? ????????? ?????????? ???????? ??? ????? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ?????, ?????????? ??????????? ???????????? ??????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

?????????? ??? ????? ??????, ????????? ??????? ????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ????? ????????????

English Explanation

To ardent lovers sweet is the embrace that cannot be penetrated even by a breath of breeze

குறள் 218

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?????? ???????? ?????? ?????????????? ?????? ?????
Manaththu Ladhupolak Kaatti OruvarkuInaththula Thaakum Arivu
English: Man's wisdom seems the offspring of his mind;'Tis outcome of companionship we find

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

?????????? ?????????? ???????? ?????? ????? ?????? (???????? ????????? ????) ???? ??????? ???????? ??????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ????? ????????; ????????? ??? ???? ??????????? ???????????? ??????? ??????????? ?????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

???????? ????? ????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????????????, ??? ???? ??????? ????????????? ????????? ??????????????????

English Explanation

Wisdom appears to rest in the mind, but it really exists to a man in his companions

குறள் 219

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?????? ???????? ?????? ???????????????? ?????? ??????
Therarka Yaaraiyum Theraadhu TherndhapinTheruka Therum Porul
English: Trust no man whom you have not fully tried,When tested, in his prudence proved confide

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

???????? ???????? ?????????????, ?????? ???????? ??????? ???????
????????? ??????????? ??????????? ???????? ???? ????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

???????? ???????? ???????? ??????? ??????; ???????? ????? ?????????????????? ???????? ????????? ??????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

????? ????????? ??????? ????? ????????? ????????? ????? ???????? ????????? ??????? ???????? ?????????? ??????

English Explanation

Let (a king) choose no one without previous consideration; after he has made his choice, let him unhesitatingly select for each such duties as are appropriate

குறள் 220

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?????? ???????? ??????? ???????????? ??????? ?????
Utaiyar Enappatuvadhu Ookkam AqdhillaarUtaiyadhu Utaiyaro Matru
English: 'Tis energy gives men o'er that they own a true control;They nothing own who own not energy of soul

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

?????? ?????????????????? ????? ??????????? ???????????? ??????????, ?????? ????????? ???? ????? ???????????????? ??? ??????? ????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

?????? ??????? ?????????????? ???????; ?????? ????????? ???? ??? ??????? ????????? ??????? ??????

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

?????? ??????? ??????? ?????????? ??????????? ???? ??? ???????? ??????????? ???? ??????? ?? ????????

English Explanation

Energy makes out the man of property; as for those who are destitute of it, do they (really) possess what they possess ?