Thiruvalluvar
Tamil poet traditionally credited as the author of the Tirukkural, a classic Tamil text of 1,330 couplets on virtue, wealth and love; almost nothing authentic is known of his life.
Thiruvalluvar did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
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Their wordsSpotless be thou in mind! This only merits virtue's name; All else, mere pomp of idle sound, no real worth can claim.
↗Tirukkural (tr. G. U. Pope, 1886)projectmadurai.org 1st of 8 in this piece
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Our reading
People without love keep everything for themselves, while loving people belong wholly to others
Their wordsThe loveless to themselves belong alone; The loving men are others' to the very bone.
↗Tirukkural (tr. G. U. Pope, 1886)projectmadurai.org 2nd of 8 in this piece
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Their wordsWhen pleasant words are easy, bitter words to use, Is, leaving sweet ripe fruit, the sour unripe to choose.
↗Tirukkural (tr. G. U. Pope, 1886)projectmadurai.org 3rd of 8 in this piece
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Their wordsTo punish wrong, with kindly benefits the doers ply; Thus shame their souls; but pass the ill unheeded by.
↗Tirukkural (tr. G. U. Pope, 1886)projectmadurai.org 4th of 8 in this piece
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Our reading
Sharing food with those in need and protecting every living thing is the chief of all teachings
Their wordsLet those that need partake your meal; guard every-thing that lives; This the chief and sum of lore that hoarded wisdom gives.
↗Tirukkural (tr. G. U. Pope, 1886)projectmadurai.org 5th of 8 in this piece
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Our reading
The more one learns, the more freely wisdom flows, as digging deeper in sand reaches water
Their wordsIn sandy soil, when deep you delve, you reach the springs below; The more you learn, the freer streams of wisdom flow.
↗Tirukkural (tr. G. U. Pope, 1886)projectmadurai.org 6th of 8 in this piece
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Their wordsThough things diverse from divers sages' lips we learn, 'Tis wisdom's part in each the true thing to discern.
↗Tirukkural (tr. G. U. Pope, 1886)projectmadurai.org 7th of 8 in this piece
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Their wordsThe waters' virtues change with soil through which they flow; As man's companionship so will his wisdom show.
↗Tirukkural (tr. G. U. Pope, 1886)projectmadurai.org 8th of 8 in this piece
The line under a date fills as the words age, a quarter at a time: past a month, six months, a year, and three years. Empty means said within the last month; full, more than three years ago. It says when, not whether it still holds — a change of mind is marked on the claim itself.
Dashed means we only know the words existed by that date; they may be older.