A verse on the light that a smile brings to the world.
From chapter 100, “Having Kindness.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
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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
A verse on the power of speaking kindly and looking gently.
93
Facing gently looking kindly speaking sweetly
With one’s heart—that is right action
முகத்தான் அமர்ந்தினிது நோக்கி அகத்தானாம்
இன்சொ லினதே அறம்
From chapter 10, “Sweet Speech.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse on seeing and sensing the unsaid.
701
A jewel on the earth of undying seas—he
Who sees and notes the unsaid
கூறாமை நோக்கக் குறிப்பறிவான் எஞ்ஞான்றும்
மாறாநீர் வையக் கணி
From chapter 71, “Reading Faces.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse on power and limits and the true weight of a feather.
475
Even the axle of a cart of feathers breaks
If heaped with too many
பீலிபெய் சாகாடும் அச்சிறும் அப்பண்டம்
சால மிகுத்துப் பெயின்
From chapter 48, “Knowing Strength.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston