A verse on the anguish of separation.
From chapter 116, “Unbearable Absence.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
author, poet, teacher, and performer
Poems from The Kural: Tiruvalluvar's Tirukkural.
A verse on the anguish of separation.
1157
Do these bangles that slip from my wrists not say
This captain is sailing
துறைவன் துறந்தமை தூற்றாகொல் முன்கை
இறைஇறவா நின்ற வளை
From chapter 116, “Unbearable Absence.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse on true leadership and good governance.
671
Resolve is the end of debate—bad
To let resolve languish
சூழ்ச்சி முடிவு துணிவெய்தல் அத்துணிவு
தாழ்ச்சியுள் தங்குதல் தீது
From chapter 68, “Ways of Action.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse on acting in accordance with the world.
140
Those who can’t flow with the world—even if learned
They know nothing
உலகத்தோ டொட்ட ஒழுகல் பலகற்றும்
கல்லார் அறிவிலா தார்
From chapter 14, “The Possession of Conduct.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse on the light that a smile brings to the world.
999
For those who cannot smile—even in daylight the great
Wide world is darkness
நகல்வல்லர் அல்லார்க்கு மாயிரு ஞாலம்
பகலும்பாற் பட்டன் றிருள்
From chapter 100, “Having Kindness.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse on what knowledge really is.
421
Knowledge—tool that guards against ruin
And fortress that falls to no enemy
அறிவற்றங் காக்குங் கருவி செறுவார்க்கும்
உள்ளழிக்க லாகா அரண்
From chapter 43, “The Possession of Knowledge.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston