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 21

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???? ?????? ????? ?????????????????? ?????? ??????
Ullam Utaimai Utaimai PorulutaimaiNillaadhu Neengi Vitum
English: The wealth of mind man owns a real worth imparts,Material wealth man owns endures not, utterly departs

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The possession of (energy of) mind is true property; the possession of wealth passes away and abides not

குறள் 22

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???? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????? ???????? ??
Karka Kasatarak Karpavai KatrapinNirka Adharkuth Thaka
English: So learn that you may full and faultless learning gain,Then in obedience meet to lessons learnt remain

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Let a man learn thoroughly whatever he may learn, and let his conduct be worthy of his learning

குறள் 23

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???? ?????? ?????????????? ????????????? ??????? ?????
Ithanai Ithanaal Ivanmutikkum EndraaindhuAdhanai Avankan Vital
English: 'This man, this work shall thus work out,' let thoughtful king command;Then leave the matter wholly in his servant's hand

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

After having considered, "this man can accomplish this, by these means", let (the king) leave with him the discharge of that duty

குறள் 24

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???? ??????? ???????? ???? ???????????????????? ?????????? ????
Makandhandhaikku Aatrum Udhavi IvandhandhaiEnnotraan Kol Enum Sol
English: To sire, what best requital can by grateful child be done?To make men say, 'What merit gained the father such a son?'

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

``???! ?????? ??????????? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ??????????'', ????? ??? ???? ????????????????, ???? ???????? ??????????? ???????????? ???????? ?????????

English Explanation

(So to act) that it may be said "by what great penance did his father beget him," is the benefit which a son should render to his father

குறள் 25

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???? ??????? ???????? ???????????????? ????? ????
Ootal Unardhal Punardhal IvaikaamamKootiyaar Petra Payan
English: The jealous variance, the healing of the strife, reunion gained:These are the fruits from wedded love obtained

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Love quarrel, reconciliation and intercourse - these are the advantages reaped by those who marry for lust

குறள் 26

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???? ??????? ???????? ???????????????? ?????? ?????
Kataaa Uruvotu Kannanjaadhu YaantumUkaaamai Valladhe Otru
English: Of unsuspected mien and all-unfearing eyes,Who let no secret out, are trusty spies

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

A spy is one who is able to assume an appearance which may create no suspicion (in the minds of others), who fears no man's face, and who never reveals (his purpose)

குறள் 27

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???? ??????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????? ?????
Theeyala Vandrith Theriyaan PeridhunninNoyala Vindrip Patum
English: Who largely feeds, nor measure of the fire within maintains,That thoughtless man shall feel unmeasured pains

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

He will be afflicted with numberless diseases, who eats immoderately, ignorant (of the rules of health)

குறள் 28

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???? ??????? ???????????? ?????????????????? ???????????? ????
Akalaadhu Anukaadhu Theekkaaivaar PolkaIkalvendharch Cherndhozhuku Vaar
English: Who warm them at the fire draw not too near, nor keep too much aloof;Thus let them act who dwell beneath of warlike kings the palace-roof

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Thus let them act who dwell beneath of warlike kings the palace-roof

குறள் 29

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???? ??????? ????????????? ????????????? ?????? ???????
Atradhu Arindhu Kataippitiththu MaarallaThuykka Thuvarap Pasiththu
English: Knowing the food digested well, when hunger prompteth thee,With constant care, the viands choose that well agree

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

(First) assure yourself that your food has been digested and never fail to eat, when very hungry, whatever is not disagreeable (to you)

குறள் 30

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???? ??????? ????????????? ??????????????????? ??????? ?????
Oththa Tharavon Uyirvaazhvaan MatraiyaanSeththaarul Vaikkap Patum
English: Who knows what's human life's befitting grace,He lives; the rest 'mongst dead men have their place

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

He truly lives who knows (and discharges) the proper duties (of benevolence) He who knows them not will be reckoned among the dead

குறள் 31

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???? ???????? ????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????
Udhavi Varaiththandru Udhavi UdhaviSeyappattaar Saalpin Varaiththu
English: The kindly aid's extent is of its worth no measure true;Its worth is as the worth of him to whom the act you do

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The benefit itself is not the measure of the benefit; the worth of those who have received it is its measure

குறள் 32

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???? ???????? ?????? ?????????????????????? ????? ???????
Paatu Perudhiyo Nenje KotiyaarkkenVaatudhot Poosal Uraiththu
English: My heart! say ought of glory wilt thou gain,If to that cruel one thou of thy wasted arms complain

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Can you O my soul! gain glory by relating to the (so-called) cruel one the clamour of my fading shoulders?

குறள் 33

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???? ???????? ??????? ?????????????? ?????? ????????
Nonaa Utampum Uyirum MatalerumNaaninai Neekki Niruththu
English: My body and my soul, that can no more endure,Will lay reserve aside, and mount the 'horse of palm'

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Having got rid of shame, the suffering body and soul save themselves on the palmyra horse

குறள் 34

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???? ???????? ???????? ????????????? ?????????? ?????
Naanalam Ennum Nalanutaimai AnnalamYaanalaththu Ulladhooum Andru
English: A tongue that rightly speaks the right is greatest gain,It stands alone midst goodly things that men obtain

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The possession of that goodness which is called the goodness of speech is (even to others) better than any other goodness

குறள் 35

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???? ???????? ???????? ???????????????? ????? ?????
Uraaa Thavarpol Solinum SeraaarsolOllai Unarap Patum
English: Though with their lips affection they disown,Yet, when they hate us not, 'tis quickly known

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Though they may speak harshly as if they were strangers, the words of the friendly are soon understood

குறள் 36

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???? ???????? ???????? ??????????????????? ?????? ???????
Ookka Mutaiyaan Otukkam PorudhakarThaakkarkup Perun Thakaiththu
English: The men of mighty power their hidden energies repress,As fighting ram recoils to rush on foe with heavier stress

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The self-restraint of the energetic (while waiting for a suitable opportunity), is like the drawing back of a fighting-ram in order to butt

குறள் 37

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???? ???????? ????????? ??????????????? ????? ???
Atram Maraiththalo Pullarivu ThamvayinKutram Maraiyaa Vazhi
English: Fools are they who their nakedness conceal,And yet their faults unveiled reveal

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Even to cover one's nakedness would be folly, if (one's) faults were not covered (by forsaking them)

குறள் 38

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???? ???????? ????????? ???????????????? ????? ????
Vaari Perukki Valampatuththu UtravaiAaraaivaan Seyka Vinai
English: Who swells the revenues, spreads plenty o'er the land,Seeks out what hinders progress, his the workman's hand

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Let him do (the king's) work who can enlarge the sources (of revenue), increase wealth and considerately prevent the accidents (which would destroy it)

குறள் 39

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???? ???????? ????????????? ????????????????? ????????? ????
Eendra Pozhudhin Peridhuvakkum ThanmakanaichChaandron Enakketta Thaai
English: When mother hears him named 'fulfill'd of wisdom's lore,'Far greater joy she feels, than when her son she bore

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The mother who hears her son called "a wise man" will rejoice more than she did at his birth

குறள் 40

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???? ???????? ?????????????? ??????????????? ?????? ?????
Vanja Manaththaan Patitrozhukkam PoodhangalAindhum Akaththe Nakum
English: Who with deceitful mind in false way walks of covert sin,The five-fold elements his frame compose, decide within

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The five elements (of his body) will laugh within him at the feigned conduct of the deceitful minded man