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 1121

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??????????? ???????? ??????? ???????????????????? ???????? ???
Manaivizhaivaar Maanpayan Eydhaar VinaivizhaiyaarVentaap Porulum Adhu
English: Who give their soul to love of wife acquire not nobler gain;Who give their soul to strenuous deeds such meaner joys disdain

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Those who lust after their wives will not attain the excellence of virtue; and it is just this that is not desired by those who are bent on acquiring wealth

குறள் 1122

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??????????? ???????? ???????? ?????????????? ??????? ?????
Kunamennum Kundreri Nindraar VekuliKanameyum Kaaththal Aridhu
English: The wrath 'tis hard e'en for an instant to endure,Of those who virtue's hill have scaled, and stand secure

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The anger of those who have ascended the mountain of goodness, though it continue but for a moment, cannot be resisted

குறள் 1123

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??????????? ???????? ???????? ??????????????? ?????????? ????
Katumozhiyum Kaiyikandha Thantamum VendhanAtumuran Theykkum Aram
English: Harsh words and punishments severe beyond the right,Are file that wears away the monarch's conquering might

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Severe words and excessive punishments will be a file to waste away a king's power for destroying (his enemies)

குறள் 1124

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??????????? ???????? ???????? ????????????????? ???? ?????
Nandraangaal Nallavaak Kaanpavar AndraangaalAllar Patuva Thevan?
English: When good things come, men view them all as gain;When evils come, why then should they complain

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

How is it that those, who are pleased with good fortune, trouble themselves when evil comes, (since both are equally the decree of fate) ?

குறள் 1125

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??????????? ???????? ???????? ?????????????????? ???? ?????
Nalaththinkan Naarinmai Thondrin AvanaikKulaththinkan Aiyap Patum
English: If lack of love appear in those who bear some goodly name,'Twill make men doubt the ancestry they claim

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

If one of a good family betrays want of affection, his descent from it will be called in question

குறள் 1126

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??????????? ???????? ???????? ??????????????????? ????????? ??????
Vazhinokkaan Vaaippana Seyyaan PazhinokkaanPanpilan Patraarkku Inidhu
English: No way of right he scans, no precepts bind, no crimes affright,No grace of good he owns; such man's his foes' delight

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

(A) pleasing (object) to his foes is he who reads not moral works, does nothing that is enjoined by them cares not for reproach and is not possessed of good qualities

குறள் 1127

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??????????? ???????? ???????? ???????????????????? ??????? ????????
Irundhompi Ilvaazhva Thellaam VirundhompiVelaanmai Seydhar Poruttu
English: All household cares and course of daily life have this in viewGuests to receive with courtesy, and kindly acts to do

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The whole design of living in the domestic state and laying up (property) is (to be able) to exercise the benevolence of hospitality

குறள் 1128

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??????????? ???????? ????????? ?????????????????? ?????? ?????
Thannuyirkaku Ennaamai Thaanarivaan EnkoloMannuyirkku Innaa Seyal
English: Whose soul has felt the bitter smart of wrong, how canHe wrongs inflict on ever-living soul of man

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Why does a man inflict upon other creatures those sufferings, which he has found by experience are sufferings to himself ?

குறள் 1129

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??????????? ???????? ????????? ??????????????????? ????????? ????
Vetpaththaanj Chollip Pirarsol PayankotalMaatchiyin Maasatraar Kol
English: Charming each hearer's ear, of others' words to seize the sense,Is method wise of men of spotless excellence

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

It is the opinion of those who are free from defects in diplomacy that the minister should speak so as to make his hearers desire (to hear more) and grasp the meaning of what he hears himself

குறள் 1130

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??????????? ???????? ????????? ???????????????????? ?????????? ????
Merpirandhaa Raayinum Kallaadhaar KeezhppirandhumKatraar Anaiththilar Paatu
English: Lower are men unlearned, though noble be their race,Than low-born men adorned with learning's grace

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The unlearned, though born in a high caste, are not equal in dignity to the learned; though they may have been born in a low caste

குறள் 1131

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??????????? ???????? ????????? ?????????????????????? ????? ????????
Thunpurooum Thuvvaamai Illaakum YaarmaattumInpurooum Inso Lavarkku
English: The men of pleasant speech that gladness breathe around,Through indigence shall never sorrow's prey be found

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Sorrow-increasing poverty shall not come upon those who use towards all, pleasure-increasing sweetness of speech

குறள் 1132

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??????????? ???????? ?????????? ????????????????? ???????? ?????
Thannaiththaan Kaakkin Sinangaakka KaavaakkaalThannaiye Kollunj Chinam
English: If thou would'st guard thyself, guard against wrath alway;'Gainst wrath who guards not, him his wrath shall slay

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

If a man would guard himself, let him guard against anger; if he do not guard it, anger will kill him

குறள் 1133

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??????????? ???????? ?????????? ??????????????????? ???????? ????
Mannarkku Mannudhal Sengonmai AqdhindrelMannaavaam Mannark Koli
English: To rulers' rule stability is sceptre right;When this is not, quenched is the rulers' light

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Righteous government gives permanence to (the fame of) kings; without that their fame will have no endurance

குறள் 1134

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??????????? ???????? ??????????? ???????????????? ???? ??????
Ataldhakaiyum Aatralum Illeninum ThaanaiPataiththakaiyaal Paatu Perum
English: Though not in war offensive or defensive skilled;An army gains applause when well equipped and drilled

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Though destitute of courage to fight and strength (to endure), an army may yet gain renown by the splendour of its appearance

குறள் 1135

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??????????? ???????? ??????????? ????????????????????? ??????? ??????
Kallunnaap Pozhdhir Kaliththaanaik KaanungaalUllaankol Untadhan Sorvu
English: When one, in sober interval, a drunken man espies,Does he not think, 'Such is my folly in my revelries'

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

When (a drunkard) who is sober sees one who is not, it looks as if he remembered not the evil effects of his (own) drink

குறள் 1136

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??????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????????? ????? ????????
Puraththurup Pellaam Evanseyyum YaakkaiAkaththuruppu Anpi Lavarkku
English: Though every outward part complete, the body's fitly framed;What good, when soul within, of love devoid, lies halt and maimed

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Of what avail are all the external members (of the body) to those who are destitute of love, the internal member

குறள் 1137

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??????????? ????????? ???? ?????????? ????????? ??????????? ??????
Mikachcheydhu Thammellu Vaarai NakachcheydhuNatpinul Saappullar Paatru
English: 'Tis just, when men make much of you, and then despise,To make them smile, and slap in friendship's guise

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

It is the duty of kings to affect great love but make it die (inwardly); as regard those foes who shew them great friendship but despise them (in their heart)

குறள் 1138

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??????????? ????????? ????? ????????????? ????????? ????
Araththinooungu Aakkamum Illai AdhanaiMaraththalin Oongillai Ketu
English: No greater gain than virtue aught can cause;No greater loss than life oblivious of her laws

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

There can be no greater source of good than (the practice of) virtue; there can be no greater source of evil than the forgetfulness of it

குறள் 1139

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??????????? ????????? ????? ??????????????? ?????????? ?????
Solalvallan Sorvilan Anjaan AvanaiIkalvellal Yaarkkum Aridhu
English: Mighty in word, of unforgetful mind, of fearless speech,'Tis hard for hostile power such man to overreach

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

It is impossible for any one to conquer him by intrique who possesses power of speech, and is neither faulty nor timid

குறள் 1140

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??????????? ????????? ????? ??????????????????? ???? ?????????
Sirappu Eenum Selvamum Eenum AraththinoounguAakkam Evano Uyirkku
English: It yields distinction, yields prosperity; what gainGreater than virtue can a living man obtain

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

???? ??????????? ?????????: ????????????? ?????????: ??????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ??? ?????????? ???? ?????

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Virtue will confer heaven and wealth; what greater source of happiness can man possess ?