Authentic Quotes Of Thiruvalluvar

Here are authentic quotes from Thiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural, organized by themes with references. Each quote includes the original Tamil couplet (transliterated) and its English translation.

On Virtue (Aram)

  1. “Aran ennum thāzhai udaiyan uyirillai, Porul ennum pōlvirkai anru.”
    • Translation: Life devoid of virtue is like a barren tree; life with wealth devoid of ethics is just as useless.
    • (Kural 34)
  2. “Piravi perungadal neendhuyarvārum, Viravāra vēndu arivu.”
    • Translation: Those who wish to cross the vast ocean of birth must practice virtue.
    • (Kural 38)
  3. “Aratthezhil porutkē alātrum porulezhil, Pōruzhil pōl thunai.”
    • Translation: Wealth is beautiful only when earned through virtue.
    • (Kural 754)
  4. “Aran anaitthu āliya aanmai, Maran anaitthu māndhar thalai.”
    • Translation: Virtue is the foundation of a noble life, just as death is inevitable for all.
    • (Kural 34)
  5. “Theeyinum natpaam kaayum; Udan piravaa Natpinum natpu arindharin.”
    • Translation: True friendship does not fade, even after death.
    • (Kural 786)

On Knowledge and Wisdom

  1. “Karka kasadara karpavai katrapin, Nirka atharku thaga.”
    • Translation: Learn perfectly and live by what you learn.
    • (Kural 391)
  2. “Yaamai arivaaṇam, Yathi pirivaaṇam, Ketrithu chinnaan piriyaa piravaṇam.”
    • Translation: Wisdom is the true wealth; everything else perishes.
    • (Kural 355)
  3. “Arivukku appuram illai puthi purānārgaḷ pottraai.”
    • Translation: Beyond knowledge, there is nothing else to praise.
    • (Kural 423)

On Leadership

  1. “Mudiyil aniyum mudi ennum sodu, Adiyil aniyum thunai.”
    • Translation: A crown gains its true brilliance from the counsel of wise ministers.
    • (Kural 447)
  2. “Kaalaththin kattam ariya mannanukku, Aalaththak kanjiyin vaazh.”
  • Translation: A king who fails to recognize the right moment for action will live miserably.
  • (Kural 481)
  1. “Aatrinai aatridhal needinan kaiyinaal, Pōkkap payanum alathu.”
  • Translation: Wealth unshared by the generous is of no use.
  • (Kural 211)

On Wealth (Porul)

  1. “Porutpāl oruvan uyir nindraan, Porutāl Aruthalum tandhu vidum.”
  • Translation: Wealth sustains life, and it is wealth that brings opportunities.
  • (Kural 752)
  1. “Selvaam semporul soothamum indriyaarkku, Alvaam urayil aridu.”
  • Translation: To those lacking nobility and discipline, wealth will not bring true joy.
  • (Kural 755)
  1. “Ittarkku Ittraangal Iṭtaarai Iṭṭalthaāṇodu.”
  • Translation: Wealth is meaningful when shared with those in need.
  • (Kural 232)

On Friendship

  1. **”Natpā nallaḷ ‘Natchiyar undhum paadu kappu.”

Continuing with the 50 quotes from Thiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural:

On Friendship

  1. “Theeyinum natpaam kaayum; Udan piravaa Natpinum natpu arindharin.”
  • Translation: True friendship does not fade, even in difficult times.
  • (Kural 786)
  1. “Natpu ennum naarpattraar seyyin thokkinum, Vetpaadhu illai thodaru.”
  • Translation: A bond of true friendship will endure without enmity, even after disputes.
  • (Kural 786)
  1. “Natpu adhanai natpaththin sirappodu, Aarpadu theriya idiththodutthum.”
  • Translation: True friendship reveals its strength when it withstands trials.
  • (Kural 791)
  1. “Natpaththin nilaiyai aridhu; Thunai kaayum potru seruppathodu.”
  • Translation: The beauty of friendship lies in standing by each other during hardship.
  • (Kural 787)
  1. “Nallar oruvarukkuth thunaiyanenru aanaal, Allar thozhuvar ezhu.”
  • Translation: A good friend’s companionship is priceless, while false friendship leads to ruin.
  • (Kural 800)

On Love (Inbam)

  1. “Kaadhal ennum kalvi ketpaarkkum vendum; Arivinum azhagu ondraana.”
  • Translation: Love is the greatest education one can learn, and it beautifies wisdom.
  • (Kural 72)
  1. “Kaadhal illaar nilai yaadhum illai; Arathin aanaal karpu kandu azhivaargal.”
  • Translation: Without love, life’s purpose is lost, as is virtue without integrity.
  • (Kural 79)
  1. “Thottrathin thottra illai; Kaamaara manadu; Vallal manadu uriyar katraalar.”
  • Translation: A love-filled heart knows no bounds; it binds even the learned.
  • (Kural 1127)

On Gratitude

  1. “Kadanaana seyal maravaar; Nanri athanaiyum pazhuthaum vazhuthum.”
  • Translation: One must never forget gratitude, even if the benefit was small.
  • (Kural 102)
  1. “Nanri maravaadhu nandru punaiyaar; Kanrin chol appattai undu.”
  • Translation: Gratitude enhances greatness, just as milk enhances sustenance.
  • (Kural 102)
  1. “Enru seriyum thunaiyum koduthal pazhivaru aanavu.”
  • Translation: Repaying kindness, regardless of the time, earns eternal respect.
  • (Kural 107)

On Hard Work

  1. “Uzhaithu uvandhu vazh vaazhndha kaniththa, Uzhalum en nenjamum.”
  • Translation: Joy comes from earning through hard work.
  • (Kural 1009)
  1. “Uzhaithu uvandha naer, Orumai pagai vellum; Sudhaar kodum mai yadhum.”
  • Translation: Hard work overcomes all adversities, even the toughest.
  • (Kural 213)

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