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 1241

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???????????? ????????? ???????? ????????????????????? ????? ????
Melirundhum Melallaar Melallar KeezhirundhumKeezhallaar Keezhal Lavar
English: The men of lofty line, whose souls are mean, are never greatThe men of lowly birth, when high of soul, are not of low estate

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Though (raised) above, the base cannot become great; though (brought) low, the great cannot become base

குறள் 1242

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???????????? ????????? ??????????? ??????????????????? ??????? ?????
Thavanj Cheyvaar Thangarumanj Cheyvaarmar RallaarAvanjeyvaar Aasaiyut Pattu
English: Who works of 'penance' do, their end attain,Others in passion's net enshared, toil but in vain

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Those discharge their duty who perform austerities; all others accomplish their own destruction, through the entanglement of the desire (of riches and sensual pleasure)

குறள் 1243

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???????????? ?????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ?????? ??????
Ketungaalaik Kaivituvaar Kenmai AtungaalaiUllinum Ullanj Chutum
English: Of friends deserting us on ruin's brink,'Tis torture e'en in life's last hour to think

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The very thought of the friendship of those who have deserted one at the approach of adversity will burn one's mind at the time of death

குறள் 1244

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???????????? ?????????? ?????? ??????????????????? ???????? ??????
Karappitumpai Yillaaraik Kaanin NirappitumpaiEllaam Orungu Ketum
English: It those you find from evil of 'denial' free,At once all plague of poverty will flee

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

All the evil of begging will be removed at the sight of those who are far from the evil of refusing

குறள் 1245

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???????????? ?????????? ???????? ????????????? ??????? ????
Pirarpazhiyum Thampazhiyum Naanuvaar NaanukkuUraipadhi Ennum Ulaku
English: As home of virtuous shame by all the world the men are known,Who feel ashamed for others, guilt as for their own

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The world regards as the abode of modesty him who fear his own and other's guilt

குறள் 1246

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???????????? ?????????? ???????? ??????????????? ????? ?????
Niraiyutaiyen Enpenman Yaanoen KaamamMaraiyirandhu Mandru Patum
English: In womanly reserve I deemed myself beyond assail;But love will come abroad, and casts away the veil

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

I say I would be firm, but alas, my malady breaks out from its concealment and appears in public

குறள் 1247

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???????????? ?????????? ???????? ?????????????????? ?????? ??????
Vinaiseyvaar Thamsutram Ventaadhaar EndraanguAnaivaraiyum Aaraaivadhu Otru
English: His officers, his friends, his enemies,All these who watch are trusty spies

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

He is a spy who watches all men, to wit, those who are in the king's employment, his relatives, and his enemies

குறள் 1248

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???????????? ?????????? ???????? ?????????????????? ???????? ????
Yaantuch Chendru Yaantum Ularaakaar VendhuppinVendhu Serappat Tavar
English: Who dare the fiery wrath of monarchs dread,Where'er they flee, are numbered with the dead

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Those who have incurred the wrath of a cruel and mighty potentate will not prosper wherever they may go

குறள் 1249

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???????????? ?????????? ????????? ???????????????????? ??????? ????????
Kadhangaaththuk Katratangal Aatruvaan SevviArampaarkkum Aatrin Nuzhaindhu
English: Who learns restraint, and guards his soul from wrath,Virtue, a timely aid, attends his path

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Virtue, seeking for an opportunity, will come into the path of that man who, possessed of learning and self-control, guards himself against anger

குறள் 1250

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???????????? ?????????? ?????????? ????????????????? ???? ????????
Purandhaarkan Neermalkach Chaakirpin SaakkaatuIrandhukol Thakkadhu Utaiththu
English: If monarch's eyes o'erflow with tears for hero slain,Who would not beg such boon of glorious death to gain

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

If (heroes) can so die as to fill with tears the eyes of their rulers, such a death deserves to be obtained even by begging

குறள் 1251

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???????????? ??????????? ????? ??????????????????????? ????? ?????
Aranjollum Nenjaththaan Anmai PuranjollumPunmaiyaar Kaanap Patum
English: The slanderous meanness that an absent friend defames,'This man in words owns virtue, not in heart,' proclaims

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The emptiness of that man's mind who (merely) praises virtue will be seen from the meanness of reviling another behind his back

குறள் 1252

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???????????? ??????????? ??????? ????????????????? ?????? ????
Kolappattem Endrennik Kollaadha SeyyaarThulakkatra Kaatchi Yavar
English: 'We've gained his grace, boots nought what graceless acts we do',So deem not sages who the changeless vision view

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Those whose judgement is firm will not do what is disagreeable (to the sovereign) saying (within

குறள் 1253

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???????????? ??????????? ??????? ????????????????? ???????????? ????
Perinennaam Petrakkaal Ennaam UrinennaamUllam Utaindhukkak Kaal
English: What's my return, the meeting hour, the wished-for greeting worth,If she heart-broken lie, with all her life poured forth

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

After (my wife) has died of a broken heart, what good will there be if she is to receive me, has received me, or has even embraced me?

குறள் 1254

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???????????? ??????????? ??????? ???????????????????? ????? ?????
Araththaatrin Ilvaazhkkai Aatrin PuraththaatrilPooip Peruva Thevan?
English: If man in active household life a virtuous soul retain,What fruit from other modes of virtue can he gain

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

What will he who lives virtuously in the domestic state gain by going into the other, (ascetic) state ?

குறள் 1255

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???????????? ??????????? ??????? ????????????????????? ????? ???
Arutchelvam Selvaththul Selvam PorutchelvamPooriyaar Kannum Ula
English: Wealth 'mid wealth is wealth 'kindliness';Wealth of goods the vilest too possess

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The wealth of kindness is wealth of wealth, in as much as the wealth of property is possessed by the basest of men

குறள் 1256

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???????????? ??????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? ???
Anichchappook Kaalkalaiyaal Peydhaal NukappirkuNalla Pataaa Parai
English: The flowers of the sensitive plant as a girdle around her she placed;The stems she forgot to nip off; they 'll weigh down the delicate waist

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

No merry drums will be beaten for the (tender) waist of her who has adorned herself with the anicham without having removed its stem

குறள் 1257

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???????????? ???????????? ?????? ????????????????? ????? ?????
Arulserndha Nenjinaark Killai IrulserndhaInnaa Ulakam Pukal
English: They in whose breast a 'gracious kindliness' resides,See not the gruesome world, where darkness drear abides

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

They will never enter the world of darkness and wretchedness whose minds are the abode of kindness

குறள் 1258

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???????????? ???????????? ????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???
Kotuppadhooum Thuyppadhooum Illaarkku AtukkiyaKotiyun Taayinum Il
English: Amid accumulated millions they are poor,Who nothing give and nought enjoy of all they store

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Those who neither give (to others) nor enjoy (their property) are (truly) destitute, though possessing immense riches

குறள் 1259

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???????????? ????????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ??????? ????
Poraiyorungu Melvarungaal Thaangi IraivarkuIraiyorungu Nervadhu Naatu
English: When burthens press, it bears; Yet, With unfailing handTo king due tribute pays: that is the 'land'

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

A kingdom is that which can bear any burden that may be pressed on it (from adjoining kingdoms) and (yet) pay the full tribute to its sovereign

குறள் 1260

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???????????? ????????????? ??????? ???????????????? ????? ?????
Payandhookkip Panpuraikkum Panpin MakalirNayandhookki Nallaa Vital
English: Who weigh the gain, and utter virtuous words with vicious heart,Weighing such women's worth, from their society depart

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

One must ascertain the character of the ill-natured women who after ascertaining the wealth (of a man) speak (as if they were) good natured-ones, and avoid intercourse (with them)