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 141

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????? ????????????? ?????? ??????????????? ?????? ?????
Irakka Iraththakkaark Kaanin KarappinAvarpazhi Thampazhi Andru
English: When those you find from whom 'tis meet to ask,- for aid apply;Theirs is the sin, not yours, if they the gift deny

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

If you meet with those that may be begged of, you may beg; (but) if they withhold (their gift) it is their blame and not yours

குறள் 142

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????? ???????????????? ????????? ??????????????? ?????? ????
Urudhoru Uyirdhalirppath Theentalaal PedhaikkuAmizhdhin Iyandrana Thol
English: Ambrosia are the simple maiden's arms; when I attainTheir touch, my withered life puts forth its buds again

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The shoulders of this fair one are made of ambrosia, for they revive me with pleasure every time I embrace them

குறள் 143

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?????? ??? ???????????? ?????????? ???? ??????
Allavai Theya Aramperukum NallavaiNaati Iniya Solin
English: Who seeks out good, words from his lips of sweetness flow;In him the power of vice declines, and virtues grow

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

If a man, while seeking to speak usefully, speaks also sweetly, his sins will diminish and his virtue increase

குறள் 144

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?????? ???? ?????? ???????????????? ????? ?????
Neerum Nizhaladhu Inidhe PulaviyumVeezhunar Kanne Inidhu
English: Water is pleasant in the cooling shade;So coolness for a time with those we love

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Like water in the shade, dislike is delicious only in those who love

குறள் 145

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?????? ???? ????????? ???????????? ????????? ????
Eettam Ivari Isaiventaa AatavarThotram Nilakkup Porai
English: Who lust to heap up wealth, but glory hold not dear,It burthens earth when on the stage of being they appear

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

A burden to the earth are men bent on the acquisition of riches and not (true) fame

குறள் 146

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?????? ???? ??????????? ?????????????? ???? ?????
Oodhiyam Enpadhu Oruvarkup PedhaiyaarKenmai Oreei Vital
English: 'Tis gain to any man, the sages say,Friendship of fools to put away

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

It is indead a gain for one to renounce the friendship of fools

குறள் 147

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?????? ???? ??????????? ????????????????? ??????? ?????
Ilamendru Asaii Iruppaaraik KaaninNilamennum Nallaal Nakum
English: The earth, that kindly dame, will laugh to see,Men seated idle pleading poverty

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The maiden, Earth, will laugh at the sight of those who plead poverty and lead an idle life

குறள் 148

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?????? ???? ????????????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ??
Kaakkai Karavaa Karaindhunnum AakkamumAnnanee Raarkke Ula
English: The crows conceal not, call their friends to come, then eat;Increase of good such worthy ones shall meet

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The crows do not conceal (their prey), but will call out for others (to share with them) while they eat it; wealth will be with those who show a similar disposition (towards their relatives)

குறள் 149

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?????? ???? ????????????? ???????????????? ???? ?????
Eydhar Kariyadhu Iyaindhakkaal AnnilaiyeSeydhar Kariya Seyal
English: When hardest gain of opportunity at last is won,With promptitude let hardest deed be done

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

If a rare opportunity occurs, while it lasts, let a man do that which is rarely to be accomplished (but for such an opportunity)

குறள் 150

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?????? ????? ?????? ???????????? ????? ??????
Kalavinaal Aakiya Aakkam AlavirandhuAavadhu Polak Ketum
English: The gain that comes by fraud, although it seems to growWith limitless increase, to ruin swift shall go

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The property, which is acquired by fraud, will entirely perish, even while it seems to increase

குறள் 151

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?????? ????? ?????? ????????????????? ???? ????
Ilarpala Raakiya Kaaranam NorpaarSilarpalar Nolaa Thavar
English: The many all things lack! The cause is plain,The 'penitents' are few The many shun such pain

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Because there are few who practise austerity and many who do not, there are many destitute and few rich in this world

குறள் 152

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?????? ????? ?????? ?????????????????? ???? ?????
520 Naatorum Naatuka Mannan VinaiseyvaanKotaamai Kotaa Thulaku
English: Let king search out his servants' deeds each day;When these do right, the world goes rightly on its way

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Let a king daily examine the conduct of his servants; if they do not act crookedly, the world will not act crookedly

குறள் 153

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?????? ????? ??????? ???????????????? ???????? ????
Nayanotu Nandri Purindha PayanutaiyaarPanpupaa Raattum Ulaku
English: Of men of fruitful life, who kindly benefits dispense,The world unites to praise the 'noble excellence.'

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The world applauds the character of those whose usefulness results from their equity and charity

குறள் 154

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?????? ????? ??????? ??????????????????? ???????? ????
399 Thaamin Puruvadhu Ulakin Purak KantuKaamuruvar Katrarin Thaar
English: Their joy is joy of all the world, they see; thus moreThe learners learn to love their cherished lore

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The learned will long (for more learning), when they see that while it gives pleasure to themselves, the world also derives pleasure from it

குறள் 155

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?????? ????? ???????? ?????????????? ?????? ?????
Mannar Vizhaipa Vizhaiyaamai MannaraalManniya Aakkan Tharum
English: To those who prize not state that kings are wont to prize,The king himself abundant wealth supplies

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

For ministers not to cover the things desired by their kings will through the kings themselves yield them everlasting wealth

குறள் 156

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?????? ????? ???????? ???????????????? ?????????? ????
Katalanna Kaamam Uzhandhum MataleraapPennin Perundhakka Thil
English: There's nought of greater worth than woman's long-enduring soul,Who, vexed by love like ocean waves, climbs not the 'horse of palm'

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

There is nothing so noble as the womanly nature that would not ride the palmyra horse, though plunged a sea of lust

குறள் 157

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?????? ????? ???????? ????????????????? ???? ??????
Maalaiyo Allai Manandhaar UyirunnumVelainee Vaazhi Pozhudhu
English: Thou art not evening, but a spear that doth devourThe souls of brides; farewell, thou evening hour

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

??????! ?? ?????! ???????????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?? ??????? ?????; ???????? ?????? ????? ????????? ????? ???????? ?????? ??.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Live, O you evening are you (the former) evening? No, you are the season that slays (married) women

குறள் 158

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?????? ????? ????????? ????????????????? ??????????? ?????
Kaanin Kuvalai Kavizhndhu NilannokkumMaanizhai Kannovvem Endru
English: The lotus, seeing her, with head demiss, the ground would eye,And say, 'With eyes of her, rich gems who wears, we cannot vie.'

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

If the blue lotus could see, it would stoop and look at the ground saying, "I can never resemble the eyes of this excellent jewelled one."

குறள் 159

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?????? ????? ????????? ???????????????????? ????? ????????
Neerindru Amaiyaadhu Ulakenin YaaryaarkkumVaanindru Amaiyaadhu Ozhukku
English: When water fails, functions of nature cease, you say;Thus when rain fails, no men can walk in 'duty's ordered way'

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

If it be said that the duties of life cannot be discharged by any person without water, so without rain there cannot be the flowing of water

குறள் 160

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?????? ????? ??????????? ???????????? ?????? ??????
Novarka Nondhadhu Ariyaarkku MevarkaMenmai Pakaivar Akaththu
English: To those who know them not, complain not of your woes;Nor to your foeman's eyes infirmities disclose

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Relate not your suffering even to friends who are ignorant of it, nor refer to your weakness in the presence of your foes