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 281

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?????? ?????????? ????????? ?????????????? ?????????? ???
Urinnattu Arinoruum Oppilaar KenmaiPerinum Izhappinum En?
English: What though you gain or lose friendship of men of alien heart,Who when you thrive are friends, and when you fail depart

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Of what avail is it to get or lose the friendship of those who love when there is gain and leave when there is none ?

குறள் 282

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?????? ?????????? ????????? ??????????????? ???????? ????
Aakkam Izhandhemendru Allaavaar OokkamOruvandham Kaiththutai Yaar
English: 'Lost is our wealth,' they utter not this cry distressed,The men of firm concentred energy of soul possessed

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

They who are possessed of enduring energy will not trouble themselves, saying, "we have lost our property."

குறள் 283

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?????? ?????????? ?????????? ????????????? ?????? ????
Itanil Paruvaththum Oppuravirku OlkaarKatanari Kaatchi Yavar
English: E'en when resources fall, they weary not of 'kindness due,'-They to whom Duty's self appears in vision true

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The wise who know what is duty will not scant their benevolence even when they are without wealth

குறள் 284

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?????? ?????????? ?????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???
Elidhena Illirappaan Eydhumenj GnaandrumViliyaadhu Nirkum Pazhi
English: 'Mere triflel' saying thus, invades the home, so he ensuresA gain of guilt that deathless aye endures

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

He who thinks lightly of going into the wife of another acquires guilt that will abide with him imperishably and for ever

குறள் 285

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?????? ??????????? ????? ?????????????????? ?????? ??????
Inpam Katalmatruk Kaamam AqdhatungaalThunpam Adhanir Peridhu
English: A happy love 's sea of joy; but mightier sorrows rollFrom unpropitious love athwart the troubled soul

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The pleasure of lust is (as great as) the sea; but the pain of lust is far greater

குறள் 286

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?????? ??????????? ?????? ???????????????? ??????? ?????????
Pukkil Amaindhindru Kollo UtampinulThuchchil Irundha Uyirkku
English: The soul in fragile shed as lodger courts repose:-Is it because no home's conclusive rest it knows

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

???????????? ??????? ?????? ????????? ??????? ?????????? ??????? ?????????? ??????!

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

It seems as if the soul, which takes a temporary shelter in a body, had not attained a home

குறள் 287

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?????? ??????????? ?????? ??????????????????? ????????? ????????
Nakudhar Poruttandru Nattal MikudhikkanMersenaru Itiththar Poruttu
English: Nor for laughter only friendship all the pleasant day,But for strokes of sharp reproving, when from right you stray

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Friendship is to be practised not for the purpose of laughing but for that of being beforehand in giving one another sharp rebukes in case of transgression

குறள் 288

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?????? ??????????? ??????? ???????? ????????? ???? ?????
Pazhaiyam Enakkarudhip Panpalla SeyyumKezhudhakaimai Ketu Tharum
English: Who think 'We're ancient friends' and do unseemly things;To these familiarity sure ruin brings

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The (foolish) claim with which a minister does unbecoming acts because of his (long) familiarity (with the king) will ensure his ruin

குறள் 289

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?????? ??????????? ??????? ????????????? ??????? ?????
Mananalam Mannuyirk Kaakkam InanalamEllaap Pukazhum Tharum
English: Goodness of mind to lives of men increaseth gain;And good companionship doth all of praise obtain

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Goodness of mind will give wealth, and good society will bring with it all praise, to men

குறள் 290

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?????? ??????????? ??????? ????????????? ????????? ?????
Ootalin Untaangor Thunpam PunarvadhuNeetuva Thandru Kol Endru
English: A lovers' quarrel brings its pain, when mind afraidAsks doubtful, 'Will reunion sweet be long delayed?'

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The doubt as to whether intercourse would take place soon or not, creates a sorrow (even) in feigned dislike

குறள் 291

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?????? ??????????? ??????? ????????????????? ?????????? ???
Ketum Perukkamum Illalla NenjaththukKotaamai Saandrork Kani
English: The gain and loss in life are not mere accident;Just mind inflexible is sages' ornament

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

?????????? ????????, ???????? ??? ??????; ???? ??? ???????????? ???????????? ??????? ????? ????????? ???????????? ????????

English Explanation

Loss and gain come not without cause; it is the ornament of the wise to preserve evenness of mind (under both)

குறள் 292

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?????? ??????????? ???????? ??????????? ???????? ??????
Pariyadhu Koorngottadhu Aayinum YaanaiVeruum Pulidhaak Kurin
English: Huge bulk of elephant with pointed tusk all armed,When tiger threatens shrinks away alarmed

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

??????????? ?????? ???????? ????????? ???????????????: ??????? ???????? ????????? ???????????????? ????, ??????? ????? ????? ???????? ????? ????? ?????????? ????

English Explanation

Although the elephant has a large body, and a sharp tusk, yet it fears the attack of the tiger

குறள் 293

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?????? ??????????? ???????? ???????????????? ????????? ?????
Avviya Nenjaththaan Aakkamum SevviyaanKetum Ninaikkap Patum
English: To men of envious heart, when comes increase of joy,Or loss to blameless men, the 'why' will thoughtful hearts employ

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The wealth of a man of envious mind and the poverty of the righteous will be pondered

குறள் 294

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?????? ??????????? ????????? ?????????????????? ????? ???????
Vankan Kutikaaththal Katraridhal AalvinaiyotuAindhutan Maantadhu Amaichchu
English: A minister must greatness own of guardian power, determined mind,Learn'd wisdom, manly effort with the former five combined

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The minister is one who in addition to the aforesaid five things excels in the possession of firmness,

குறள் 295

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?????? ??????????? ?????????? ??????? ???????? ????????? ??????
Aqkaamai Selvaththirku Yaadhenin VeqkaamaiVentum Pirankaip Porul
English: What saves prosperity from swift decline?Absence of lust to make another's cherished riches thine

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

If it is weighed, "what is the indestructibility of wealth," it is freedom from covetousness

குறள் 296

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?????? ??????????? ?????????? ??????????????????? ???? ?????
Katindha Katindhoraar Seydhaarkku AvaidhaamMutindhaalum Peezhai Tharum
English: To those who hate reproof and do forbidden thingWhat prospers now, in after days shall anguish bring

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The actions of those, who have not desisted from doing deeds forbidden (by the great), will, even if they succeed, cause them sorrow

குறள் 297

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?????? ??????????? ???????????? ???????????? ????? ???
Sirumai Namakkozhiyach Chetchendraar UlliNarumalar Naanina Kan
English: Thine eyes grown dim are now ashamed the fragrant flow'rs to see,Thinking on him, who wand'ring far, leaves us in misery

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

While we endure the unbearable sorrow, your eyes weep for him who is gone afar, and shun (the sight of) fragrant flowers

குறள் 298

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?????? ???????????? ?????? ?????????????? ?????? ?????
Penaadhu Penvizhaivaan Aakkam PeriyadhorNaanaaka Naanuth Tharum
English: Who gives himself to love of wife, careless of noble nameHis wealth will clothe him with o'erwhelming shame

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The wealth of him who, regardless (of his manliness), devotes himself to his wife's feminine nature will cause great shame (to ali men) and to himself;

குறள் 299

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?????? ???????????? ?????? ?????????????? ???????? ???
Thavamum Thavamutaiyaarkku Aakum AdhanaiAqdhilaar Merkol Vadhu
English: To 'penitents' sincere avails their 'penitence';Where that is not, 'tis but a vain pretence

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Austerities can only be borne, and their benefits enjoyed, by those who have practised them (in a former birth); it will be useless for those who have not done so, to attempt to practise them (now)

குறள் 300

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?????? ???????????? ??????? ????????????????? ???????? ????
Uruvadhu Seerdhookkum Natpum PeruvadhuKolvaarum Kalvarum Ner
English: These are alike: the friends who ponder friendship's gainThose who accept whate'er you give, and all the plundering train

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Friendship who calculate the profits (of their friendship), prostitutes who are bent on obtaining their gains, and thieves are (all) of the same character