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 101

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????? ???????? ?????????? ??????????????? ?????????? ?????
Pazhaimai Enappatuvadhu Yaadhenin YaadhumKizhamaiyaik Keezhndhitaa Natpu
English: Familiarity is friendship's silent pact,That puts restraint on no familiar act

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Imtimate friendship is that which cannot in the least be injured by (things done through the) right (of longstanding intimacy)

குறள் 102

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????? ???????? ??????????? ???????????? ?????? ????
Oodhal Ventum Olimaazhkum SeyvinaiAaadhum Ennu Mavar
English: Who tell themselves that nobler things shall yet be wonAll deeds that dim the light of glory must they shun

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Those who say, "we will become (better)" should avoid the performance of acts that would destroy (their fame)

குறள் 103

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????? ???????? ??????????? ????????????????? ?????? ?????
Aapayan Kundrum Arudhozhilor NoolmarapparKaavalan Kaavaan Enin
English: Where guardian guardeth not, udder of kine grows dry,And Brahmans' sacred lore will all forgotten lie

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

If the guardian (of the country) neglects to guard it, the produce of the cows will fail, and the men of six duties viz, the Brahmins will forget the vedas

குறள் 104

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????? ???????? ??????????? ?????????????????? ????? ??????
Kaamam Enavondro Kannindren NenjaththaiYaamaththum Aalum Thozhil
English: What men call love is the one thing of merciless power;It gives my soul no rest, e'en in the midnight hour

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Even at midnight is my mind worried by lust, and this one thing, alas! is without mercy

குறள் 105

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????? ???????? ??????????????? ???????????????? ????? ??????
Yaan Enadhu Ennum Serukku Aruppaan VaanorkkuUyarndha Ulakam Pukum
English: Who kills conceit that utters 'I' and 'mine',Shall enter realms above the powers divine

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Shall enter realms above the powers divine

குறள் 106

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????? ????????? ????? ?????????????? ???????? ???
Nanavena Ondrillai Aayin KanavinaalKaadhalar Neengalar Man
English: And if there were no waking hour, my loveIn dreams would never from my side remove

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Were there no such thing as wakefulness, my beloved (who visited me) in my dream would not depart from me

குறள் 107

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????? ????????? ????? ???????????????? ??????? ??????
Thakudhi Enavondru Nandre PakudhiyaalPaarpattu Ozhukap Perin
English: If justice, failing not, its quality maintain,Giving to each his due, -'tis man's one highest gain

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

That equity which consists in acting with equal regard to each of (the three) divisions of men [enemies, strangers and friends] is a pre-eminent virtue

குறள் 108

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????? ????????? ?????? ???????????? ??????????? ??????
Naalena Ondrupor Kaatti Uyir EerumVaaladhu Unarvaarp Perin
English: As 'day' it vaunts itself; well understood, 'tis knife',That daily cuts away a portion from thy life

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Time, which shows itself (to the ignorant) as if it were something (real) is in the estimation of the wise (only) a saw which cuts down life

குறள் 109

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????? ????????? ?????? ?????????????? ???? ???
Maadhar Mukampol Olivita VallaiyelKaadhalai Vaazhi Madhi
English: Farewell, O moon! If that thine orb could shineBright as her face, thou shouldst be love of mine

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

???????! ??? ??????? ????????? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ????????????, ?????? ???? ???? ??? ????????? ????? ????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

?????! ?? ?????! ??? ????????? ????????? ???? ?????????? ??????????? ??????? ?????? ??? ??????? ????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

If you can indeed shine like the face of women, flourish, O moon, for then would you be worth loving ?

குறள் 110

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????? ????????? ?????? ?????????????????????? ??????? ?????
Ootip Perukuvam Kollo NudhalveyarppakKootalil Thondriya Uppu
English: And shall we ever more the sweetness know of that embraceWith dewy brow; to which 'feigned anger' lent its piquant grace

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Will I enjoy once more through her dislike, the pleasure of that love that makes her forehead perspire?

குறள் 111

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????? ????????? ??????? ?????????? ????????? ???? ??????
Pazhakiya Selvamum Panpum KetukkumKazhakaththuk Kaalai Pukin
English: Ancestral wealth and noble fame to ruin haste,If men in gambler's halls their precious moments waste

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

To waste time at the place of gambling will destroy inherited wealth and goodness of character

குறள் 112

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????? ????????? ??????? ?????????????? ??????? ?????
Arumai Utaiththendru Asaavaamai VentumPerumai Muyarsi Tharum
English: Say not, 'Tis hard', in weak, desponding hour,For strenuous effort gives prevailing power

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Yield not to the feebleness which says, "this is too difficult to be done"; labour will give the greatness (of mind) which is necessary (to do it)

குறள் 113

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????? ????????? ??????? ???????????????? ????????? ?????
Azhivi Navaineekki Aaruyththu AzhivinkanAllal Uzhappadhaam Natpu
English: Friendship from ruin saves, in way of virtue keeps;In troublous time, it weeps with him who weeps

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

(True) friendship turns aside from evil (ways) makes (him) walk in the (good) way, and, in case of loss if shares his sorrow (with him)

குறள் 114

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????? ????????? ???????? ?????????? ???????? ??????
Gnaalam Karudhinung Kaikootung KaalamKarudhi Itaththaar Seyin
English: The pendant world's dominion may be won,In fitting time and place by action done

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Though (a man) should meditate (the conquest of) the world, he may accomplish it if he acts in the right time, and at the right place

குறள் 115

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????? ????????? ???????? ?????????????? ????????? ?????
Irumai Vakaidherindhu Eentuaram PoontaarPerumai Pirangitru Ulaku
English: Their greatness earth transcends, who, way of both worlds weighed,In this world take their stand, in virtue's robe arrayed

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The greatness of those who have discovered the properties of both states of being, and renounced the world, shines forth on earth (beyond all others)

குறள் 116

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????? ????????? ????????? ???????????????????? ??????? ???????
Ellaa Vilakkum Vilakkalla SaandrorkkupPoiyaa Vilakke Vilakku
English: Every lamp is not a lamp in wise men's sight;That's the lamp with truth's pure radiance bright

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

All lamps of nature are not lamps; the lamp of truth is the lamp of the wise

குறள் 117

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????? ????????? ?????????? ?????????? ???????? ?????? ????
Nallaaru Enappatuvadhu Yaadhenin YaadhondrumKollaamai Soozhum Neri
English: You ask, What is the good and perfect way?'Tis path of him who studies nought to slay

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Good path is that which considers how it may avoid killing any creature

குறள் 118

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????? ????????? ?????????? ??????????????? ????? ???
Nodhal Evanmatru Nondhaarendru AqdhariyumKaadhalar Illaa Vazhi
English: What good can grieving do, when none who loveAre there to know the grief thy soul endures

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

What avails sorrow when I am without a wife who can understand the cause of my sorrow?

குறள் 119

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????? ?????????? ???? ?????? ???? ????????????? ??????
Irandha Vekuliyin Theedhe SirandhaUvakai Makizhchchiyir Sorvu
English: 'Tis greater ill, it rapture of o'erweening gladness to the soulBring self-forgetfulness than if transcendent wrath control

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

More evil than excessive anger, is forgetfulness which springs from the intoxication of great joy

குறள் 120

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????? ?????????? ????? ??????? ?????? ????????? ????
Irudhi Payappinum Enjaadhu IraivarkuUrudhi Payappadhaam Thoodhu
English: Death to the faithful one his embassy may bring;To envoy gains assured advantage for his king

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

He is the ambassador who fearlessly seeks his sovereign's good though it should cost him his life (to deliver his message)