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 241

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Pedhaimai Enpadhondru Yaadhenin EdhangontuOodhiyam Poka Vital
English: What one thing merits folly's special name.Letting gain go, loss for one's own to claim

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Folly is one (of the chief defects); it is that which (makes one) incur loss and forego gain

குறள் 242

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?????? ???????? ?????????? ??????????????? ??????? ????????
Venmai Enappatuva Thiyaadhenin OnmaiUtaiyamyaam Ennum Serukku
English: What is stupidity? The arrogance that cries,'Behold, we claim the glory of the wise.'

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

What is called want of wisdom is the vanity which says, "We are wise"

குறள் 243

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?????? ???????? ?????????? ????????????????? ?????? ??????
Ulliya Thellaam Utaneydhum UllaththaalUllaan Vekuli Enin
English: If man his soul preserve from wrathful fires,He gains with that whate'er his soul desires

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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English Explanation

If a man never indulges anger in his heart, he will at once obtain whatever he has thought of

குறள் 244

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?????? ???????? ??????????? ??????????? ???????? ????
Sirumai Palaseydhu Seerazhikkum SoodhinVarumai Tharuvadhondru Il
English: Gaming brings many woes, and ruins fair renown;Nothing to want brings men so surely down

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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English Explanation

There is nothing else that brings (us) poverty like gambling which causes many a misery and destroys (one's) reputation

குறள் 245

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?????? ???????? ??????????? ??????????????? ??????? ????????
Ulluva Thellaam Uyarvullal MatradhuThallinun Thallaamai Neerththu
English: Whate'er you ponder, let your aim be loftly still,Fate cannot hinder always, thwart you as it will

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

In all that a king thinks of, let him think of his greatness; and if it should be thrust from him (by fate), it will have the nature of not being thrust from him

குறள் 246

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Nalkuravu Ennum Itumpaiyul PalkuraithThunpangal Sendru Patum
English: From poverty, that grievous woe,Attendant sorrows plenteous grow

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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English Explanation

The misery of poverty brings in its train many (more) miseries

குறள் 247

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Inpam Vizhaiyaan Vinaivizhaivaan ThankelirThunpam Thutaiththoondrum Thoon
English: Whose heart delighteth not in pleasure, but in action finds delight,He wipes away his kinsmen's grief and stands the pillar of their might

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

He who desires not pleasure, but desires labour, will be a pillar to sustain his relations, wiping away their sorrows

குறள் 248

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Theraan Thelivum Thelindhaankan AiyuravumTheeraa Itumpai Tharum
English: Trust where you have not tried, doubt of a friend to feel,Once trusted, wounds inflict that nought can heal

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

To make choice of one who has not been examined, and to entertain doubts respecting one who has been chosen, will produce irremediable sorrow

குறள் 249

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701 Kooraamai Nokkake Kuripparivaan EgngnaandrumMaaraaneer Vaiyak Kani
English: Who knows the sign, and reads unuttered thought, the gem is he,Of earth round traversed by the changeless sea

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The minister who by looking (at the king) understands his mind without being told (of it), will be a perpetual ornament to the world which is surrounded by a never-drying sea

குறள் 250

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?????? ???????? ?????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ????
Koozhung Kutiyum Orungizhakkum KolkotichChoozhaadhu Seyyum Arasu
English: Whose rod from right deflects, who counsel doth refuse,At once his wealth and people utterly shall lose

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The king, who, without reflecting (on its evil consequences), perverts justice, will lose at once both his wealth and his subjects

குறள் 251

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?????? ????????? ????? ??????????????? ??????? ?????
Perumai Perumidham Inmai SirumaiPerumidham Oorndhu Vital
English: Greatness is absence of conceit; meanness, we deem,Riding on car of vanity supreme

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Freedom from conceit is (the nature of true) greatness; (while) obstinacy therein is (that of) meanness

குறள் 252

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?????? ????????? ?????? ??????????? ?????????? ????
Izhaiththadhu Ikavaamaich Chaavaarai YaarePizhaiththadhu Orukkir Pavar
English: Who says they err, and visits them scorn,Who die and faithful guard the vow they've sworn

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Who would reproach with failure those who seal their oath with their death ?

குறள் 253

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?????? ????????? ?????? ??????????????? ????? ?????
Kaivel Kalitrotu Pokki VarupavanMeyvel Pariyaa Nakum
English: At elephant he hurls the dart in hand; for weapon pressed,He laughs and plucks the javelin from his wounded breast

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The hero who after casting the lance in his hand on an elephant, comes (in search of another) will pluck the one (that sticks) in his body and laugh (exultingly)

குறள் 254

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?????? ????????? ?????? ??????????????? ??????? ???
Pedhaip Patukkum Izhavoozh ArivakatrumAakaloozh Utrak Katai
English: The fate that loss ordains makes wise men's wisdom foolishness;The fate that gain bestows with ampler powers will wisdom bless

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

An adverse fate produces folly, and a prosperous fate produces enlarged knowledge

குறள் 255

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?????? ????????? ?????? ??????????????? ????????? ?????
Karumam Sidhaiyaamal Kannota VallaarkkuUrimai Utaiththiv Vulaku
English: Who can benignant smile, yet leave no work undone;By them as very own may all the earth be won

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The world is theirs (kings) who are able to show kindness, without injury to their affairs, (administration of justice)

குறள் 256

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?????? ????????? ?????? ????????????????? ???? ??????
Atram Maraikkum Perumai SirumaidhaanKutrame Koori Vitum
English: Greatness will hide a neighbour's shame;Meanness his faults to all the world proclaim

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The great hide the faults of others; the base only divulge them

குறள் 257

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?????? ????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ?????????? ?????
Maravarka Maasatraar Kenmai ThuravarkaThunpaththul Thuppaayaar Natpu
English: Kindness of men of stainless soul remember evermoreForsake thou never friends who were thy stay in sorrow sore

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

?????????????? ???? ????????? ???????????: ??????? ???? ????????? ??????????? ????????????? ????? ????????? ?????????? .

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Forsake not the friendship of those who have been your staff in adversity Forget not be benevolence of the blameless

குறள் 258

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?????? ????????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ???????
Nallavai Ellaaan Theeyavaam TheeyavumNallavaam Selvam Seyarku
English: All things that good appear will oft have ill success;All evil things prove good for gain of happiness

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

In the acquisition of property, every thing favourable becomes unfavourable, and (on the other hand) everything unfavourable becomes favourable, (through the power of fate)

குறள் 259

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?????? ????????? ??????? ??????????????? ??????? ????
Aangamai Veydhiyak Kannum PayamindreVendhamai Villaadha Naatu
English: Though blest with all these varied gifts' increase,A land gains nought that is not with its king at peace

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Although in possession of all the above mentioned excellences, these are indeed of no use to a country, in the absence of harmony between the sovereign and the sujects

குறள் 260

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?????? ????????? ??????? ??????????????? ???????? ??????
Ootudhal Kaamaththirku Inpam AdharkinpamKooti Muyangap Perin
English: A 'feigned aversion' coy to pleasure gives a zest;The pleasure's crowned when breast is clasped to breast

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Dislike adds delight to love; and a hearty embrace (thereafter) will add delight to dislike