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 1201

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???????????? ??????? ???? ????????????????????????? ?????? ??????
Maraippenman Kaamaththai Yaano KurippindrithThummalpol Thondri Vitum
English: I would my love conceal, but like a sneezeIt shows itself, and gives no warning sign

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

I would conceal my lust, but alas, it yields not to my will but breaks out like a sneeze

குறள் 1202

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???????????? ??????? ?????? ????????? ????????? ?????? ???????
Irpirandhaar Kanalladhu Illai IyalpaakachCheppamum Naanum Orungu
English: Save in the scions of a noble house, you never findInstinctive sense of right and virtuous shame combined

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Consistency (of thought, word and deed) and fear (of sin) are conjointly natural only to the high-born

குறள் 1203

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???????????? ??????? ?????? ???????????????????? ???? ????
Itukkankaal Kondrita Veezhum AtuththoondrumNallaal Ilaadha Kuti
English: When trouble the foundation saps the house must fall,If no strong hand be nigh to prop the tottering wall

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

If there are none to prop up and maintain a family (in distress), it will fall at the stroke of the axe of misfortune

குறள் 1204

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???????????? ??????? ??????? ????????????????? ???????? ????
Podhunokkaan Vendhan Varisaiyaa NokkinAdhunokki Vaazhvaar Palar
English: Where king regards not all alike, but each in his degree,'Neath such discerning rule many dwell happily

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Many relatives will live near a king, when they observe that he does not look on all alike, but that he looks on each man according to his merit

குறள் 1205

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???????????? ??????? ??????? ?????????????????? ????? ????????
Peridhaatrip Petpak Kalaththal AridhaatriAnpinmai Soozhva Thutaiththu
English: While lovingly embracing me, his heart is only grieved:It makes me think that I again shall live of love bereaved

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The embrace that fills me with comfort and gladness is capable of enduring (my former) sorrow and meditating on his want of love

குறள் 1206

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???????????? ??????? ???????? ???????????? ????? ??????
Thurappaarman Thuppura Villaar UrarpaalaOottaa Kazhiyu Menin
English: The destitute with ascetics merit share,If fate to visit with predestined ills would spare

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The destitute will renounce desire (and become ascetics), if (fate) do not make them suffer the hindrances to which they are liable, and they pass away

குறள் 1207

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???????????? ??????? ???????? ???????????????????? ????? ????????
Kunanilanaaik Kutram Palavaayin MaatraarkkuInanilanaam Emaap Putaiththu
English: No gracious gifts he owns, faults many cloud his fame;His foes rejoice, for none with kindred claim

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

He will become friendless who is without (any good) qualities and whose faults are many; (such a character) is a help to (his) foes

குறள் 1208

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???????????? ??????? ?????????? ???????????????????? ???????? ???
Nayandhavarkku Nalkaamai Nerndhen PasandhavenPanpiyaarkku Uraikko Pira
English: I willed my lover absent should remain;Of pining's sickly hue to whom shall I complain

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

I who (then) consented to the absence of my loving lord, to whom can I (now) relate the fact of my having turned sallow

குறள் 1209

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???????????? ???????? ???? ???????????? ?????? ????
Sirukaappir Peritaththa Thaaki UrupakaiOokkam Azhippa Tharan
English: A fort must need but slight defence, yet ample be,Defying all the foeman's energy

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

A fort is that which has an extensive space within, but only small places to be guarded, and such as can destroy the courage of besieging foes

குறள் 1210

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???????????? ???????? ???? ???????????????? ???????????? ????
Vilindhaarin Verallar Mandra ThelindhaarilTheemai Purindhu Ozhuku Vaar
English: They're numbered with the dead, e'en while they live, -how otherwise?With wife of sure confiding friend who evil things devise

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

19 Certainly they are no better than dead men who desire evil towards the wife of those who

குறள் 1211

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???????????? ???????? ????? ???????????? ????????????? ??????
Pochchaappuk Kollum Pukazhai ArivinaiNichcha Nirappuk Kon Raangu
English: Perpetual, poverty is death to wisdom of the wise;When man forgets himself his glory dies

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Forgetfulness will destroy fame, even as constant poverty destroys knowledge

குறள் 1212

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???????????? ???????? ????? ????????????????????? ????? ??????
Katunjollan Kannilan Aayin NetunjelvamNeetindri Aange Ketum
English: The tyrant, harsh in speach and hard of eye,His ample joy, swift fading, soon shall die

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The abundant wealth of the king whose words are harsh and whose looks are void of kindness, will instantly perish instead of abiding long, with him

குறள் 1213

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???????????? ???????? ????? ??????????????????????? ???????? ????
Uyir Utampin Neekkiyaar Enpa Seyir UtampinSellaaththee Vaazhkkai Yavar
English: Who lead a loathed life in bodies sorely pained,Are men, the wise declare, by guilt of slaughter stained

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

(The wise) will say that men of diseased bodies, who live in degradation and in poverty, are those who separated the life from the body of animals (in a former birth)

குறள் 1214

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???????????? ???????? ?????? ???????????????? ????? ????
Podhunalaththaar Punnalam Thoyaar MadhinalaththinMaanta Arivi Navar
English: From contact with their worthless charms, whose charms to all are free,The men with sense of good and lofty wisdom blest will flee;

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Those whose knowledge is made excellent by their (natural) sense will not covet the trffling delights

குறள் 1215

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???????????? ???????? ?????? ???????????????? ??????????? ????
Thaamventin Nalkuvar Kaadhalar YaamventumKelavai Etukkumiv Voor
English: If we desire, who loves will grant what we require;This town sends forth the rumour we desire

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The rumour I desire is raised by the town (itself); and my lover would if desired consent (to my following him)

குறள் 1216

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???????????? ???????? ?????? ?????????????????? ???????? ?????
Kottup Pooch Chootinum Kaayum OruththiyaikKaattiya Sootineer Endru
English: I wreathed with flowers one day my brow, The angry tempest lowers;She cries, 'Pray, for what woman now Do you put on your flowers?'

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Even if I were adorned with a garland of branch-flowers, she would say I did so to show it to another woman

குறள் 1217

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???????????? ???????? ?????? ???????????????????? ?????????? ??????
Ikazhchchiyin Kettaarai Ulluka ThaandhamMakizhchchiyin Maindhurum Pozhdhu
English: Think on the men whom scornful mind hath brought to nought,When exultation overwhelms thy wildered thought

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Let (a king) think of those who have been ruined by neglect, when his mind is elated with joy

குறள் 1218

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???????????? ???????? ?????? ????????????????????? ???? ????
Manandhooyaark Kechchamnan Raakum InandhooyaarkkuIllainan Raakaa Vinai
English: From true pure-minded men a virtuous race proceeds;To men of pure companionship belong no evil deeds

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

To the pure-minded there will be a good posterity By those whose associates are pure, no deeds will be done that are not good

குறள் 1219

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???????????? ???????? ?????? ????????????????????? ????? ????????
Ikazhndhellaadhu Eevaaraik Kaanin MakizhndhullamUllul Uvappadhu Utaiththu
English: If men are found who give and no harsh words of scorn employ,The minds of askers, through and through, will thrill with joy

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Beggars rejoice exceedingly when they behold those who bestow (their alms) with kindness and courtesy

குறள் 1220

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???????????? ???????? ?????? ????????????????????? ???????? ???????
Ninaiththondru Sollaayo Nenje EnaiththondrumEvvanoi Theerkkum Marundhu
English: My heart, canst thou not thinking of some med'cine tell,Not any one, to drive away this grief incurable

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

??????! ( ??????? ???????) ??? ????? ?????? ?????????? ??????? ?????? ????? ?? ?????????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ?????????

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

O my soul, will you not think and tell me some medicine be it what it may, that can cure this incurable malady?