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 81

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????? ??????? ????????? ?????????????????????? ??????? ????
Kaamak Kanichchi Utaikkum NiraiyennumNaanuththaazh Veezhththa Kadhavu
English: Of womanly reserve love's axe breaks through the door,Barred by the bolt of shame before

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The axe of lust can break the door of chastity which is bolted with the bolt of modesty

குறள் 82

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????? ??????? ?????????? ????????????? ???????? ????
Ketaaa Vazhivandha Kenmaiyaar KenmaiVitaaar Vizhaiyum Ulaku
English: Friendship of old and faithful friends,Who ne'er forsake, the world commends

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

They will be loved by the world, who have not forsaken the friendship of those with whom they have kept up an unbroken long-standing intimacy

குறள் 83

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????? ??????? ?????????? ??????????????? ?????? ??????
Aridhoru Ariyaamai Kantatraal KaamamSeridhorum Seyizhai Maattu
English: The more men learn, the more their lack of learning they detect;'Tis so when I approach the maid with gleaming jewels decked

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

As (one's) ignorance is discovered the more one learns, so does repeated intercourse with a welladorned female (only create a desire for more)

குறள் 84

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????? ??????? ?????????? ????????????????? ???? ????
Manno Tiyaindha Maraththanaiyar KannoTiyaindhukan Notaa Thavar
English: Whose eyes 'neath brow infixed diffuse no rayOf grace; like tree in earth infixed are they

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

They resemble the trees of the earth, who although they have eyes, never look kindly (on others)

குறள் 85

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????? ??????? ?????????? ????????????????? ?????? ?????
Veezhap Patuvaar Kezheeiyilar ThaamveezhvaarVeezhap Pataaar Enin
English: Those well-beloved will luckless prove,Unless beloved by those they love

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Even those who are esteemed (by other women) are devoid of excellence, if they are not loved by their beloved

குறள் 86

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????? ??????? ?????????? ??????????????????? ???????? ????
Inmai Itumpai Irandhudheer VaamennumVanmaiyin Vanpaatta Thil
English: Nothing is harder than the hardness that will say,'The plague of penury by asking alms we'll drive away.'

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

There is no greater folly than the boldness with which one seeks to remedy the evils of poverty by begging (rather than by working)

குறள் 87

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????? ??????? ??????????? ??????????????? ????????? ??????
Oonaik Kuriththa Uyirellaam NaanennumNanmai Kuriththadhu Saalpu
English: All spirits homes of flesh as habitation claim,And perfect virtue ever dwells with shame

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

????? ?????????? ?????? ??????? ???????????; ???????, ??????????????, ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ??????? ????????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

As the body is the abode of the spirit, so the excellence of modesty is the abode of perfection

குறள் 88

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????? ??????? ???????????? ????????????? ????? ?????
Nandre Tharinum Natuvikandhaam AakkaththaiAndre Yozhiya Vital
English: Though only good it seem to give, yet gainBy wrong acquired, not e'en one day retain

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Forsake in the very moment (of acquisition) that gain which, though it should bring advantage, is without equity

குறள் 89

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????? ??????? ????????????? ??????? ????? ?????????? ??????
Thaniye Irundhu Ninaiththakkaal EnnaithThiniya Irundhadhen Nenju
English: My heart consumes me when I ponder lone,And all my lover's cruelty bemoan

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

My mind has been (here) in order to eat me up (as it were) whenever I think of him in my solitude

குறள் 90

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????? ???????? ??? ????????????????? ??????? ????
Emur Ravarinum Ezhai ThamiyanaaipPallaar Pakaikol Pavan
English: Than men of mind diseased, a wretch more utterly forlorn,Is he who stands alone, object of many foeman's scorn

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

He who being alone, incurs the hatred of many is more infatuated than even mad men

குறள் 91

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????? ???????? ?????? ?????????????? ??????????? ????
Vetta Pozhudhin Avaiyavai PolumeThottaar Kadhuppinaal Thol
English: In her embrace, whose locks with flowery wreaths are bound,Each varied form of joy the soul can wish is found

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Each varied form of joy the soul can wish is found

குறள் 92

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????? ???????? ?????? ???????????????? ???? ????
Innaadhu Irakkap Patudhal IrandhavarInmukang Kaanum Alavu
English: The suppliants' cry for aid yields scant delight,Until you see his face with grateful gladness bright

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

To see men begging from us in disagreeable, until we see their pleasant countenance

குறள் 93

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????? ???????? ??????? ?????????????? ????????? ?????
Theeyavai Seydhaar Ketudhal NizhaldhannaiVeeyaadhu Atiurain Thatru
English: Man's shadow dogs his steps where'er he wends;Destruction thus on sinful deeds attends

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Destruction will dwell at the heels of those who commit evil even as their shadow that leaves them not

குறள் 94

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????? ???????? ??????? ???????????????? ??????? ?????
Sendra Itaththaal Selavitaa TheedhoreeiNandrinpaal Uyppa Tharivu
English: Wisdom restrains, nor suffers mind to wander where it would;From every evil calls it back, and guides in way of good

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Not to permit the mind to go where it lists, to keep it from evil, and to employ it in good, this is wisdom

குறள் 95

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????? ???????? ??????? ?????????????????????? ????? ????
Seyka Porulaich Cherunar SerukkarukkumEqkadhanir Kooriya Thil
English: Make money! Foeman's insolence o'ergrownTo lop away no keener steel is known

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

??????? ??????? ????????? ???????? ??????????????; ???????? ??????????? ????????? ????? ??????, ????????? ???? ?????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Accumulate wealth; it will destroy the arrogance of (your) foes; there is no weapon sharper than it

குறள் 96

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????? ???????? ???????? ?????????? ??????????? ???
Illai Thavaravarkku Aayinum OotudhalValladhu Avaralikku Maaru
English: Although there be no fault in him, the sweetness of his loveHath power in me a fretful jealousy to move

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Although my husband is free from defects, the way in which he embraces me is such as to make me feign dislike

குறள் 97

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????? ???????? ???????? ????????????????? ??????? ???
Pazhakiya Natpevan Seyyung KezhudhakaimaiSeydhaangu Amaiyaak Katai
English: When to familiar acts men kind response refuse,What fruit from ancient friendship's use

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Of what avail is long-standing friendship, if friends do not admit as their own actions done through the right of intimacy ?

குறள் 98

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????? ???????? ????????? ???????????? ?????? ???????
Aayum Arivinar Allaarkku AnangenpaMaaya Makalir Muyakku
English: As demoness who lures to ruin woman's treacherous loveTo men devoid of wisdom's searching power will prove

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The wise say that to such as are destitute of discerning sense the embraces of faithless women are (as ruinous as those of) the celestail female

குறள் 99

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????? ???????? ????????? ??????????????????? ???? ?????
Nallaaru Eninum Kolaldheedhu MelulakamIlleninum Eedhale Nandru
English: Though men declare it heavenward path, yet to receive is ill;Though upper heaven were not, to give is virtue still

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

To beg is evil, even though it were said that it is a good path (to heaven) To give is good, even though it were said that those who do so cannot obtain heaven

குறள் 100

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????? ???????? ?????????? ??????????????? ???? ?????
Atravar Enpaar Avaaatraar MatraiyaarAtraaka Atradhu Ilar
English: Men freed from bonds of strong desire are free;None other share such perfect liberty

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

They are said to be free (from future birth) who are freed from desire; all others (who, whatever else they may be free from, are not freed from desire) are not thus free